Face front, true believers! I’m back in action! At least for the time being… As I’m on seasonal layoff from my day job through January, I’ll have enough time and brain power to contribute to the blog again, instead of just harassing you all on Twitter.
The NTSIB crew (can it be called a crew when there are just two of us?) love taking part in the Couch by Couchwest festivities every year, not least because we always manage together some new friends who also happen to be very talented. This past CXCW got us acquainted with Tony Fitz when he organized a very lovely Irish showcase.
Aside from all the behind-the-scenes work Tony does in production, recording, and sound engineering, he also makes music with his band Susie Soho. And in between everything else, he has began recording solo songs, releasing them on an as-ready basis, the first of which is “Cut Me Up”, which includes Ciaran Brady from Heritage Centre on drums, along with Jason Maher and Niall Campion on bass and guitar. Breaking my own rule of never comparing musicians, this song does slot easily beside Tony’s fellow countrymen the Frames in its laying bare the raw emotions of disappointment and anger while making you want to stomp, head bang, and fist pump to the jagged blasts of guitar and drums.
To check out Tony’s work on the technical side of things, you can listen to his production work for Red Sails on their EP We Still Build Forts, his live recordings for the Chapters, and his sound work for Homebeat.
CXCW (Couch by Couchwest) is on! It’s been great fun so far. If you missed the first day, don’t worry: unlike at other festivals, you can always catch performances later (and even previous years’ performances) at the website. For added fun, be sure to join in the chatter on Twitter by following @couchxcouchwest and the #CXCW hashtag.
“This month we celebrate Couch By Couchwest (http://couchbycouchwest.com/). That’s the alternative music festival that can be enjoyed from the confines of your own home, on your very own luxurious couch! Who needs SxSW? You’ve gotta take time off from work and deal with crowds and drunkards. I don’t know about you, but I’m too broke and lazy to go to the trouble of heading to Austin. Criminy, you can be your own crowd and revel in your own drunkeness!
Thanks to AnnieTUFF (@AnnieTUFF) for this month’s artwork. Grab a beer, a shot or… some herb if you live in Colorado or Washington (like me!), kick back and listen to some tunes. Oh! And leave some comments!”
1. Title: Aluga-se-Vende
Artist: Móveis Coloniais de Acaju (translates as “colonial mahogany wood-made furniture”)
Album (year): Idem [2005]
Submitted By: hoosier buddy
Comments: In the song, this couple breaks up and he says things to her about keys and the living room and brokers, all of which may make sense to him. What I love about it is the weird Bill Murray/Oingo Boingo vibe, the complicated but well-orchestrated arrangement, the drumming, and the way the song builds, then chills out a lot, and finally comes back like gangbusters to knock your socks off.
2. Title: Moving Furniture Around
Artist: The Handsome Family
Album: Odessa (1995)
Submitted By: toomuchcountry
Comments: Couches, love seats, ottomans, futons, etc. They’re all Sofa King pieces of furniture that must be moved from time to time.
3. Title: This Is A Notice
Artist: Mic Harrison And The High Score
Album (year): Still Wanna Fight
Submitted By: annieTUFF
Comments: Keeping with the CXCW theme I chose Mic Harrison and The High Score. I filmed Mic Harrison and The High Score’s CXCW video last year…in the dirtiest motel in Tennessee. No joke, that place was disgusting. I set my beer down to take some photos and when I went to pick it back up a roach was on the can. That motel is condemned now by the way… Anyway, back to the music, this song is on “Still Wanna Fight” the same album as the song they sang for CXCW last year “The Colonel Is Dead”. Good stuff, check it out.
4. Title: Da Couch Dat Burps
Artist: Da Yoopers
Album (Year): For Diehards Only (1995)
Submitted By: Gorrck
Comments: There’s a fine line between participation and mockery.
[Editor: FOR.THE.WIN! If I were to give awards for monthly contributions, this is the March winner.]
5. Title: Falling Apart
Artist: Billy Pilgrim
Album (year): Bloom (1995)
Submitted By: @philnorman
Comments: Feels like a CXCW song to me, “left me here in these ragged
chairs, stuffing snowing everywhere.” Golly, I loved this band. You
might know Kristian Bush now for being “the guy in the hat in
Sugarland.”
6. Title: Wicker Chair
Artist: Kings Of Leon
Album (Year): Holy Roller Novocaine (2003)
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: I love early Kings Of Leon. Their sound was so ‘swampy’, but they had the occasional laid back song and this fits that lazy, laid-back ‘sofa/chair’ theme.
7. Title: Friends in Bottles
Artists: The Takers
Album (year): Taker Easy (2009)
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz
Comments: This is one of the best songs of the last five years, however, to my knowledge, The Takers as a band no longer exist. Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that they split in 2010. Devon Stuart, formerly of The Takers, and Michael Claytor played “Narrow Road” for CXCW 2011. At CXCW2012, Chase 56 did a damn good cover of “Friends in Bottles.”
8. Title: When Our Love Passed Out on the Couch
Artist: X
Album: Wild Gift (1981)
Submitted By: @tincanman2010 (http://tincanland.wordpress.com/)
Comments: Was tempted to send in The Couch by Alanis Morris Settee, but X tiCX a heap of CXCW boXes – to wit, crunchy guitars and depraved indifference to polite society. On TGIF, God gave man the couch so that we might spend our days of rest passed out or making out – or, in this case, making out with other girls while yours is passed out.
9. Title: Sleight of Hand
Artist: Kassy Key & the Raindoggs
Album (2012): Kassy Key & the Raindoggs
Submitted By: @popa2unes
Comments: Don’t know how they’ll all fit on a couch, but we shall see, I expect something really special shall transpire
10. Title: Run Away
Artist: The End Men
Album (year): Play With Your Toys (2013)
Submitted By: Simon
Comments: One of my favourite 2012 CXCW performances came from the The End Men, here’s a slice of primal rock n roll taken from their current album Play With your Toys available at http://theendmen.bandcamp.com
11. Title: Chimayo
Artist: Will Kimbrough
Album (Year): This (2000)
Submitted by: erschen
Comments: This guy has collaborated with people like Todd Snider, Jayhawks, Matthew Ryan and Guy Clark but is an great musician on his own.
12. Title: No Honey for Anybody
Artist: The Bear
Album (year): The Bear (2011)
Submitted By: TheOtherBrit
Comments: Never would’ve heard of the crew out of North Alabama if it weren’t for CXCW. Looking forward to their video this year!
13. Title: Italian Leather Sofa
Artist: Cake
Album (Year): Fashion Nugget (1996)
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: Who doesn’t like Cake? I had this and Wicker Chair as my choices for this month’s comp and since we are a little light this month, I added this one too.
14. Title: Irene
Artist: Trixie Whitley
Album (Year): Fourth Corner (2013)
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: What the hell?!? One more. Trixie Whitley is my current artist crush. I first heard her on Daytrotter in January and she’s won my ears. If you like neo-R&B/Soul, check her out. She’s the daughter of Chris Whitley, a well-regarded guitarist who died too young. You should check out catalog too.
Around the time Now This Sound Is Brave started, back in 2010, I found myself in the habit of inadvertently seeing Willy Mason play live as he seemed to be opening for everyone I wanted to see. While he clearly had talent and skill, it took a while for me to be won over. Mason had started his career at a young age and was growing into his role.
Seeing his name pop up in the old e-mail inbox after three years is like seeing an old, beloved friend again. Willy Mason is trotting out his first new album in six years, Carry On, and in the run-up, he has an EP titled Don’t Stop Now available for free download from NoiseTrade. It’s a beautiful little thing, ranging from the somber to the downright danceable.
Mason is gearing up to tour the UK and Australia, and will be joining the Gentlemen of the Road tour for four stops this summer.
A new FBFY mix is live, and I’d personally like to thank our FBFY commander-in-chief for not choosing a Valentine theme this month.
“…and we’re back! I considered and then threw out a number of ideas for different themes and went with goulash (def: an eclectic and uncoordinated mixture of something). What a mixture we’ve got! We are spanning quite a few genres and yet it works! Thanks to Matt (@truersound) for this month’s artwork.”
Title: Cleaning Out My Closet (Eminem cover)
Artist: Angel Haze
Album: Classick (2012)
Submitted By: @tincanman2010 (http://tincanland.wordpress.com/)
Comments: NSFW! wtf, rap on FBFY? Yeah, deal with it bitches. Eminem broke through rap’s colour barrier and Haze threatens to shatter it’s gender ceiling, so a cover seems appropriate. Similar styles, too
Title: 1965 (Duas Tribos)
Artist: Legião Urbana
Album (year): As Quatro Estações [2007]
Submitted By: hoosier buddy
Comments: First, thanks go out to my last.fm friend Vitória for turning me on to this album. This song reminds me a little of The Refreshments circa 1996 – and also reminds me walking barefoot on hot beach sand, driving too fast in cars with bench seats, the big knobs on Silvertone guitar amps, Sandy Nelson of Superdrums! fame, first kisses, cool water when you’re super thirsty, and Deputy Dawg’s hat in the episode titled “National Spoof Day”.
Title: King’s Flashlight
Artist: Elliott, Rose, Da Costa
Album (year): CA TX NY Vol. 1 (2012)
Submitted By: @philnorman
Comments: An indie-songwriter supergroup kicking out a catchy jam
from Raina Rose. The whole 6 song EP is fantastic. http://store.thefamilyrecords.com/products/ca-tx-ny-vol-1-ep
Title: Pale Rider
Artist: Heavy Horses
Album (year): Murder Ballads & Other Love Songs
Submitted By: Bryan Childs (ninebullets.net)
Comments: The Heavy Horses are the band I am currently and completely crushing on.
Title: Abandoned
Artist: Phil Norman
Album (2010): Four Februarys
Submitted By: @popa2unes
Comments: Well there’s February, a short month it will go by like that, then there’s March with cxcw in the middle of it which will go by too fast, really it’s almost spring. There’s this guy Phil Norman, who does this February Album Writing Month (FAWM) thingy 14 songs in 28 days so there is sure to be some great new tunes coming from him, you may have heard of him and or it, He’s also in the excellent band called Blue Moonshine which rumors are they are close to releasing some new material which mayhaps will coincide with cxcw? Anyhoo I have a playlist on my Ipod with this song from Four Februarys ’07-‘10 in it and when it comes on I have to hit repeat, I dig it so much. Hope you enjoy it to, and follow along this year’s FAWM and nudge him and the band about cxcw, They’re on twitter and stuff.
Title: Manchester
Artist: Kishi Bashi
Album (year): 151a (2012)
Submitted By: TheOtherBrit
Comments: Stepping out of my Southern band box for this earworm that I discovered thanks to the end of the year lists. Though technically, still from the South.
Title: This Boy Is Exhausted
Artist: The Wrens
Album (year): The Meadowlands (2003)
Submitted By: Ryan (Verbow @ altcountrytab.ca)
Comments: I think this is at least the third Wrens song I have submitted to this comp. I can’t help it – I love the heck out of them and keep dreaming of a day when they actually release some new material. 10 years is a long time gone, but I digress – this is just a great example of a rock and roll song, about the tedium and glory of playing in a band and playing live. Crank it up.
Title: Lay Down
Artist: Alberta Cross
Album (year): Daytrotter Session, 2KHz, 1/3/2013
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: Damn! I like these guys. Daytrotter Studios seems to be regular stop for these guys and they trotted out a new session in early January. I’m lovin’ this song right now. I keep meaning to buy some Alberta Cross, but never get around to it. I will buy one of their albums this month!
Title: Born to Ruin
Artist: Wildlife
Album (year): …On the Heart (2013)
Submitted By: April @ Now This Sound Is Brave
Comments: I was introduced to this Canadian band on Daytrotter’s Barnstormer 5 tour, and they were so brilliant that they overshadowed nearly all the other bands for me. “Born to Ruin” is the lead single off their second album, which is due out in early March, and when I first heard it, I couldn’t stop playing it. Their big drums, big vocals, and big heart keep getting me.
Title: “I See a Darkness”
Artist: Bonnie “Prince” Billy
Album (year): Now Here’s My Plan EP (2012)
Submitted By: Beldo or @TheSecondSingle
Comments: Will Oldham remakes his own classic as a spirited ’70s-style country rocker.
Title: I Still Write Your Name In The Snow
Artist: Chet Atkins
Album: Almost Alone (1996)
Submitted By: toomuchcountry
Comments: Ahh, love is in the crisp air of winter – and apparently soaked into the new fallen snow. While listening to these romantic lyrics as sung by the original Certified Guitar Player, just remember to pay heed to Frank Zappa’s advice.
Title: Victoria
Artist: The Kinks
Album (Year): Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire (1969)
Submitted by: Erschen
Comments: Been on a Kinks kick lately and really love this overlooked gem.
Title: Night Train
Artist: Oscar Peterson Trio
Album (year): Night Train (1962)
Submitted by: Gorrck
Comment: Old school jazz. Go pour yourself a cocktail and enjoy. NOTE: Not to be confused with GnR’s “Night Train”
Title: Ape of Dorado
Artist: Dorado
Album (year): Anger Hunger Love and the Fear of Death (2013)
Submitted By: Mad Mackerel Music Blog
Comments: Dorado is our first great discovery of 2013. Dorado is one Jody Nelson. Dorado is sonic chaos. Dorado is musical mayhem. Dorado is somehow simultaneously disjointed and perfectly cohesive.While its roots might nominally be in southern rock, there are plenty of other forces at work here – psychedelia, folk, country-noir, art-rock, straight-up indie – the musical cauldron bubbles and seethes with every imaginable ingredient. This track, Ape of Dorado dips into a rockabilly rhythm, gives that up as a bad job and heads helter-skelter into scrappy indie rock, but does it all brilliantly. Dorado is what we imagine Heath Ledger’s Joker might have on repeat on his iPod.
Title: Funtimes In Babylon (Demo)
Artist: Father John Misty
Album (year): Fear Fun Demos 2012
Submitted By: Sandy @ Slowcoustic
Comments: Last year’s album Fear Fun from Father John Misty was one of the albums I was most interested in (due to my appreciation of J. Tillman’s previous work). It ended up being one of the year’s best albums in my opinion and quite frankly surprised me. So then, how about the cross between the older more acoustic J. Tillman and the new indie crooner Father John Misty? The acoustic demo for the opening track of the new album seems to be just that spot.
Title: Love Reign O’er Me
Artist: Pete Townshend
Album (year): The Quadrophenia Demos 2 (2012)
Submitted By: Simon
Comments: This track sounds better every time I listen to it, a wonderful version of a classic Who song from the soundtrack to Quadrophenia, released on a 2012 Record Store Day limited edition 10″ and the Director’s Cut box set.
Title: You Gave Your Love To Me Softly
Artist: Weezer
Album (year): Angus (Soundtrack) (1995)
Submitted By: annieTUFF
Comments: Man, I completely froze on song choice this month….BUT I’ve been revisiting my love for Weezer lately, so here you go FBFY.
Title: Answering Machine (home solo demo)
Artist: The Replacements
Album (year): Let it Be (orig. 1984, Deluxe Edition 2008)
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz
Comments: Went on a “Let it Be” bender this weekend. I think I like this song better than “I Will Dare,” and that song is genius.
Title: Girlfriend
Artist: Slim Dunlap
Album (year): Times Like This (1994)
Submitted By: @scratchedsoul
Comments: Slim was the guitarist in the Replacements after Bobby Stinson left the band. In Feb 2012 he had a pretty massive stroke which sucks. This is a song off his 2nd (and last) album. He played solo in Boston one night on this tour and at the end of his set he said he needed someone to drive him to Cleveland after the gig. If you did he would buy your plane ticket home. I wish I could say I volunteered, but I didn’t. Regrets. There’s a fund set up to help defray costs. More info here http://songsforslim.com
Title: What is the Color of the Soul of a Man
Artist: Jimmy Driftwood
Album: Voice of The People (1963)
Submitted by: Truersound
Comments: Picked this record up recently and it proceeded to blow me away, this song in particular. Then found out it was released in 1963…wow
Title: Anymore
Artist: Jonathan Warren and the Billy Goats
Album: Just Relax, Honey (2009)
Submitted by: BoogieStudio22
Comments: Yeah… I added a second song. So what? This band sent us (FBFY) a little press release with some videos. So I say “What the heck, I’ll watch the videosâ€:
I liked what heard (a bit of folk, indie, alt-country, americana, etc…) so I headed over to their site (http://www.jonathanwarrenmusic.com) , sampled the songs and bought their two albums. They are operating on the ‘ pay whatever you can afford’ principle, so if you like what you hear and pick up their albums, throw some money their way… like I did. Oh… and they were recently featured over on @pop2unes site too.
When you look at the cover of Swamp Dogg’s album Rat On! now – on a black background, Swamp Dogg, in beret and fringed vest, sitting astride a white rat, Dogg’s arms held up in triumph – it just looks silly (and has indeed been called one of the worst album covers of all time). But at the time of its release in 1971, it managed to offend some people (evidence that people searching for things to be offended by is not a new development). While the photo was never intended as anything more than a visual component of the title’s play on words, Swamp Dogg hasn’t been one to back away from controversy, so he decided to stoke the fires of the offended by claiming the cover represented “the black man on top of the white man”1.
Clearly, what the cover does denote is an album from someone fond of clowning around. What you may miss from just looking at the cover, though, is that, beyond the silly cover and between some jokey songs are serious responses to race, war, sex, and more, backed by solid soul.
You see, Swamp Dogg is the alter ego of a man, Jerry Williams, Jr., with chops. Williams cut his first record when he was around 12 years old, when he was known as Little Jerry, and he’s been writing and producing music for himself and others since childhood. He’s worked with artists like Solomon Burke, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, Gene Pitney, and, along with writing partner Gary U.S. Bonds, was nominated for a Grammy for the song “She’s All I Got”, recorded by Johnny Paycheck.
Williams has not stopped working, either on his own or for others, and his first two Swamp Dogg albums, 1970’s Total Destruction to Your Mind and Rat On!, are being remastered and reissued on vinyl and CD by Alive Records on March 5.
“If I Die Tomorrow (I’ve Lived Tonite)” – Swamp Dogg
To hear more about this entertaining man and his interesting career, check out this appearance from public radio program Studio 360 from July 2011, where Williams and writer Ben Greenman talk about their collaboration stemming from Greenman’s novel Please Step Back.
And for a little more background, check out his interview with Jesse Thorn on The Sound of Young America from January 2008.
“It’s a New Year! It’s a new curator (@BoogieStudio22)! It’s a new mixtape! We are starting afresh, in 2013, by looking back on 2012. Our motley crew of malcontent, miscreant, ne’er-do-well music lovers have chosen their favorite songs, their “Choice Cuts”, of 2012. Crank up the volume and check out 20 cuts from a variety of artists and genres.”
1. Title: All Over You
Artist: Dead Exs
Album (year): Resurrection (2012)
Submitted By: tincanman (http://tincanland.wordpress.com)
Comments: Rock and roll doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it rarely should. Guitars. Attitude. Mud (see song video: http://bit.ly/Wcnsod). The Dead Exs (http://thedeadexs.com) are my favourite new band of 2012; what the Black Keys would be if Dan Auerbach didn’t have his head so far up his own ass.
2. Title: I Gotta Get Shorty Out of Jail
Artist: Andre Williams & The Sadies
Album (2012): Night and Day
Submitted By: @popa2unes
Comments: Canada’s soul singer/cult legend Andre Williams with The Sadies’ Jon Langford, long-time line-up of Dallas Good on guitars and keys, his brother Travis Good on guitars and fiddle, Mike Belitsky on drums, and the mighty Sean Dean on the bass, Matt Verta-Ray of Heavy Trash, Danny Kroha of Detroit’s own gutter-blues The Gories, featuring fabulously retro cool back-up vocals by Sallie Timms and Kelly Hogan and directed by Jon Spencer
3. Title: Impossible Sky
Artist: Woods
Album: Bend Beyond (2012)
Submitted by: Erschen
Comments: This is a sunny power pop gem. “without looking up, I can see the most impossible sky”. They can make a gloomy line like that so optimistic.
4. Title: Everyone
Artist: Ancient Whales
Album (year): Ancient Whales Birthing (2012)
Submitted By: The Mad Mackerel music blog
Comments: This track comes from a six track album released right at the beginning of 2012, which may mean it didn’t garner the attention it truly deserved. Everyone is anchored by a huge, catchy, insistent riff and a simple lyric while drums clatter away behind it. An absolute sonic treasure!
5. Title: People Of This Land
Artist: Lincoln Durham
Album: The Shovel vs. The Howling Bones (2012)
Submitted By: toomuchcountry
Comments: I discovered this song by listening all the way to the end of one of Bill Frater’s great Freight Train Boogie podcasts (ftbpodcasts.com) early in 2012. Great track in my opinion.
6. Title: Teenage Gravity
Artist: Kasey Anderson & The Honkies
Album (Year): Let The Bloody Moon Rise (2012)
Submitted by: Simon (Beat Surrender)
Comments: Love this version of the track from the 2012 album Let the Bloody Moon Rise, it first appeared on Kasey’s album Nowhere Nights that was released in 2010, I was in two minds whether to submit this track or one of the versions of his song Exit Ghost that’s also a big favourite of mine too, links for the Daytrotter version and with Star Anna. The man himself his currently on a hiatus – hope to hear from him sooner rather than later.
7. Title: Some Kind of Devil
Artist: Flint Hill Specials
Album (year): The Wigg EP (2012)
Submitted By: TheOtherBrit
Comments: This project from Jeff Moore of National Grain is pretty awesome, especially when you throw a few District Attorneys into the mix for the live show.
8. Title: Turn Away
Artist: forgetters
Album (year): forgetters (2012)
Submitted By: scratchedsoul
Comments: This record was the long awaited return of Blake Schwarzenbach (Jawbreaker, Jets to Brazil). He had last been heard from in 2012 with an (excellent) 4 song single and this full album is a real treat. Blake’s quality songwriting is throughout the record, this song being a highlight for me. The record was produced by J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Office of Future Plans) and his crisp production just adds to the enjoyment of the record. Only a full-length Paul Westerberg record would have been more exciting for me in 2012. There’s always 2013 for that.
9. Title: As Close As I Came to Being Right
Artist: Rhett Miller (w/Roseanne Cash)
Album: The Dreamer (2012)
Submitted by: Gorrck
Comment: Rhett played an opening set for the Old 97s shows in Phoenix and played some of his solo work. This is my favorite off his latest solo effort.
10. Title: Museum of Flight
Artist: Damien Jurado
Album (year): Maraqopa
Submitted By: Beldo aka @TheSecondSingle
Comments: I had never really gotten into Jurado, but starting with this song (maybe my favorite of the year) and working backwards through his catalog, I’m starting to think he might make a damn fine successor to Neil.
11. Title: House Carpenter
Artist: Lonesome Sisters with Riley Baugus
Album (year): Lonesome Scenes (2012)
Submitted By: Truersound
Comments: The Lonesome Sisters were a fantastic discovery for me this year, doesn’t hurt to have Riley Baugus on banjo either, but what really blew me away the first time hearing this album was this hauntingly beautiful rendition of House Carpenter. Also called The Demon Lover and other titles, House Carpenter is one of those timeless english ballads (this one a warning to women about the dire consequences of temptation and infidelity) that have survived the ages thanks to the tenacity of appalachian ballad singers. In this tradition, I think the Lonesome Sisters have done a damn fine job.
12. Title: Nostalgic For….
Artist: The Wind-up Birds
Album (year): The Land (2012)
Submitted By: April @ Now This Sound Is Brave
Comments: I first heard the Wind-up Birds’ first full-length album, The Land, back in May, and it still holds a prominent place in my personal listening rotation. The band are writing songs right now, so I’m excited about more charged and charging songs from the Leeds quartet.
13. Title: One Of Every Color
Artist: Browan Lollar
Album: For The Givers & The Takers (2012)
Submitted by: Corey Flegel (This Is American Music)
14. Title: A Few Towns More
Artist: McDougall
Album (year): A Few Towns More (2012)
Submitted By: Bryan Childs (ninebullets.net)
Comments: Favorite song from my favorite album of the year.
15. Title: Here Comes My Baby
Artist: Mic Harrison And The High Score
Album (year): Still Wanna Fight (2012)
Submitted By: annieTUFF
Comments: When I found out the theme this month was Choice Cuts I knew right away that I wanted to choose a song from this album…then I had to double check that I hadn’t already submitted a song from it this year. THEN my problem was which song from the album was I gonna choose! This was actually really hard, because I love all the songs, and it was a hard choice between this song and “This Is A Notice” (so check out that song too). I might be a little bit partial to these fellers, Mic Harrison and The High Score are as nice and genuine group of guys as you can ever meet. They’re road warriors, going out on to play shows just about every weekend, and then back to their jobs during the week. That’s dedication. Do yourself a favor and download/order this album, and check out their website and see when they’re rolling thru your town. www.micharrison.com
16. Title: Wrecked
Artist: Turnpike Troubadours
Album (year): Goodbye Normal Street (2012)
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz
Comments: One of my favorite songs of the year from one of my favorite albums of the year!
17. Title: Wined And Dined
Artist: Men On The Border
Album (year): Shine! [2012]
Submitted By: hoosier buddy
Comments: This song is from an album of songs by Syd Barrett, as interpreted by Men On The Border. The band chose to emphasize the positive aspects of Syd’s spirit and music, and the resulting music is bright, breezy, and slightly psychedelic. Wined And Dined is a lovely sonic vacation to the countryside. Try the psilocybin tapenade!
18. Title: Movement and Location
Artist: Punch Brothers
Album (year): Who’s Feeling Young Now? (2012)
Submitted By: @philnorman
Comments: No album I listened to more in 2012.
19. Title: The Descent
Artist: Bob Mould
Album (year): Silver Age (2012)
Submitted By: Verbow
Comments: So I had about 12 songs I thought about using, but in the end I went the simpleton’s route and chose my favorite song off my favorite album of 2012. This song is classic Bob all the way – and after hearing this song you will not be able to get it out of your head for days. Rock on Bob!
20. Title: Guttersnipe
Artist: Bhi Bhiman
Album (year): Bhiman (2012)
Submitted by: BoogieStudio22
Comments: This is singer/songwriter Bhi Bhiman’s second album, but I first learned about him on Noisetrade earlier in 2012. I keep coming back to this album and this song in particular. This song ‘spoke’ to me while I was making some changes in my professional life. I love the last two lines of the song (felt like my mantra for a while in early- to mid-2012):
I never heeded the signs
But I’m well on my way to feeling fine
What struck me most early on in listening to Leticia Rodriguez’s album La Americana is how close and warm her voice is. Not only did it sound as though Rodriguez was in the room with me, but it also felt like she was singing to me in the tenderest way, as a mother might sing to her young child. The clearness, of course, can be attributed to top notch recording engineering, but the warmth is all Rodriguez.
It makes sense that this album should be imbued with such warmth as it serves not only as Rodriguez’s debut album, but it is also a tribute to her family, especially to her aunt, Decca recording artist Eva Garza. Though Eva Garza’s name is all but forgotten here in the United States, she enjoyed worldwide fame as one of Decca’s first crossover artists. Many of the songs on La Americana, an album of covers, have also been sung and recorded by Garza.
One of the aspects I love most about Latin music is that it is music of celebration. The songs of La Americana are full of joy and life, celebrations of the world, but also celebrations of self, as in the above song, “Estoy Como Nunca”. I am better than ever, Rodriguez is saying. People/conditions have tried to beat her down the song tells us, but she keeps her head high and her eyes looking forward. Pretty damn good song to start off a new year, I’d say.
Our men from Sheffield, the Payroll Union, are preparing to release their first full-length album and have offered a preview in the form of the rousing “Peggy’s Tavern” (available for free download).
A reading of singer/guitarist/songwriter Pete David’s blog (a read I definitely recommend) indicates more fascinating stories of early American history will be coming our way, set, of course, to the fine stomps and dirges we’ve come to expect from the Payroll Union. If you’re in the Sheffield, UK, area, you can help the men welcome their new album, The Mule & the Elephant, into the world at their album launch show at Club 60 in Sheffield on January 19.
Time again for the groovin’ internet sensation that all the hip kiddies are talking about, the Feel Bad for You mixtape!
“Hello my little red-nosed reindeers! It’s the last Feel Bad for You mixtape of 2012! And good riddance 2012, and don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. Please welcome The Mad Mackerel from Charlbury, England, as our newest contributor! (FYI: If you accidentally Google “The Mackerel” instead of “The Mad Mackerel,” the top hit is a disturbing Picasso painting.) Thanks to TooMuchCountry for the artwork. Although, after tonight’s game, maybe we should Feel Bad For the Texans.”
1. Title: The Money Goes
Artist: The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
Album (year): Between The Ditches (2012)
Submitted By: hoosier buddy
Comments: I saw this band at the 8×10 in Baltimore. It was a transformative experience, standing in the middle of a crowd of screaming, stomping, whiskey-fueled, wild-eyed music fans. The Reverend, who hails from Brown County, IN, could teach Jack White a few things about playing guitar…and about performing. I’m completely serious. Catch ‘em if you can.
2. Title: Molotovs
Artist: Dorado
Album (year): Anger, Hunger, Love And The Fear Of Death (2013)
Submitted by: Corey Flegel
Comments: This is a side project by Birmingham badasses Through The Sparks. The Dorado full length will be released 1/5/13 via This Is American Music.
3 Title: I’m Going Back
Artist: Kitty, Daisy & Lewis
Album (year): Smoking in Heaven (2011)
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: I was recently directed to this fun, retro-50s group consisting of multi-instrumentalist siblings. Just good fun.
4. Title: Stupa
Artist: District Attorneys
Album (year): Jr. (2012)
Submitted By: TheOtherBrit
Comments: These guys have my favorite album of the year but this is off their just released free EP from thisisamericanmusic.com!
5. Title: Endeavor
Artist: Timo Räisänen
Album (year): Endeavor (2012)
Submitted By: @philnorman
Comments: Fizz bop Swedish pop! A friend posted this on the tweeters a week or two ago and the damn hook won’t get out of my head. Bonus saxophone solo!
6. Title: Get Me In A Room
Artist: Hallelujah the Hills
Album (year): No One Know What Happens Next (2012)
Submitted by: Simon
Comments: Thanks to everyone who’s contributed and given their time to creating the posts and artwork, so much music, so little time – you filter the great from the mediocre. This is an ear-worm of a track and the video features our erstwhile collator and editor-in-chief Amy https://vimeo.com/38678429.
7. Title: The Cigarette Song
Artist: The Patinettes
Album (year): Bliss (2011)
Submitted By: @popa2unes
Comments: I’m sure like me, this monthly exercise always gets you rooting deep into all the music you’ve accumulated and saying Oh yeah haven’t heard this album in a while! The Patinettes only album Bliss is filled with retro surf rock flair, beautiful vocals and a catchy bluegrass/country vibe and it just found it’s way back onto my pod. They are a five piece crew from Zaragoza, Spain.
8. Title: In Pacific Time
Artist: Micah Schnabel
Album (year): How to Quit Smoking/In Pacific Time CDR (2012)
Submitted By: scratchedsoul
Comments: I travel a lot for work which can be shitty sometimes and sometimes it’s great. At the end of the summer I found myself in Buffalo for work and went and saw Two Cow Garage open for Lucero. Micah and Shane were selling their wares after the show and this is from a CDR Micah was selling. Both songs are ridiculously good.
9. Title: Little Mystery
Artist: Todd Thibaud
Album: Little Mystery (1999)
Submitted By: toomuchcountry
Comments: Thibaud was one of the early artists introduced to me by the randomness of Pandora. Not terribly edgy – yet this Boston singer has some solid, creative pop tunes. I revisited Little Mystery for FBFY and realized the multiple meanings of that song title this time of year. The song itself tells the story of the girl about town who craves the return of a little mystery in her life – but who is resigned to know it ain’t happenin’. But don’t we all crave the return of a little mystery? Hell, is mystery even possible in a world of Facebook, Twitter and iPhones? Whacked relationships. Gender-known deliveries. Loathed gift cards vs. wrapped presents bought with intent and a smile. The mystery of Santa that recedes with each generation more quickly than any glacier melts. Those damn Mayans. The journey to Bethlehem and the everlasting impact of the events that may have happened there. But hey, Merry Friggin’ Christmas y’all. Thanks for listening, downloading, sharing and/or ignoring my submissions this year. Have a drink on me, kiss the ones you love and pray for the ones you don’t.
10. Title: To Sir With Love
Artists: Lulu
Album (year): To Sir With Love (1967)
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz
Comments: I’ve been listening to Steve Earle’s SiriusXM radio show, and he recently discussed the work of producer Mickie Most. This track stands out among his many, many great recordings.
11. Title: I Wanna Live
Artist: The Ramones
Album (year): This version is from the “Hey! Ho! Let’s Go: The Anthology [Disc 2]” (1999) but it’s originally on “Halfway to Sanity” (1987)
Submitted By: annieTUFF
Comments: I’ve been on an 80′s Ramones kick in between surf music and crazy Christmas music…so…here ya go.
12. Title: Keep the Boy Alive
Artist: Sebadoh
Album (year): Secret EP (2012)
Submitted By: Ryan (verbow over at altcountrytab.ca)
Comments: I guess the successful Dino Jr reunion has inspired Lou Barlow to revive Sebadoh. They snuck this EP out earlier this year, a teaser for a forthcoming full album in 2013. This is the first song off that EP – and I love the hell out of it. I’ve always dug Lou’s stuff – I wish I had a bunch of enlightening things to say about it, but I don’t. Its just a base instinct I guess. Viva la Sebadoh!
13. Title: God Damned the Rain to Fall
Artist: Horsehead
Album (year): Sympathetic Vibrations (2012)
Submitted By: Trailer
Comments: If you’re gonna do an impression of The Black Crowes, you might as well do it this damn good.
14. Title: Black Tar Carpet Ride
Artist: The Lollipops
Album (2012): Pop Narcotics (2012)
Submitted By: The Mad Mackerel
Comments: “We’ll shoot some heroin, and take to the skies.†Told over a simple acoustic strum, this is an unapologetic, woozy, hypnotically brilliant paean to the delights of chasing the dragon. The best addition to the Sex and Drugs and Rock’n’Roll mantra we’ve heard all year. The only apology? For “the times we almost died.†It comes from The Lollipops sublime May release, Pop Narcotics – available as a Pay What You Want deal from their Bandcamp page.
15. Title: Blood, Sweat & Murder
Artist: Scott H. Biram
Album (year): The Dirty Old One Man Band (2005)
Submitted By: Bryan Childs (ninebullets)
Comments: My father was a HUGE Scotty Biram fan. I’m glad he got to see him live before he got sick. This was one of my dad’s favorite SHB songs.
16. Title: Beer Cans
Artist: Old 97’s
Album (year): Too Far To Care (Bonus track, 2012 reissue)
Submitted By: Gorrck
Comments: Sums up my existence these days.
17. Title: Letters Home From the Garden of Stone
Artist: Everlast
Album (year): Love, War, and the Ghost of Whitey Ford (2008)
Submitted By: tincanman
Comments: A soldier ponders his place in the battlefield. Masterfully crafted lyrics and production. And that voice is so seductive!
18. Title: Dead Souls
Artist: Joy Division
Album (year): live (1980)
Submitted By: April @ Now This Sound Is Brave
Comments: This is from a show Joy Division played at the University of London Union on February 8, 1980, recently remastered by audio engineer Drew Crumbaugh. I’ve been listening to Joy Division since I was in my early teens, and everytime I listen to them, I still think it is some of the greatest music I’ve ever heard.
19. Title: Armegideon Time
Artist: Willie Williams
Album: Armegideon Time (1978)
Submitted By: Truersound
Comments: Dec. 21, 2012: Armegideon Time
It’s that time again, kids. The Feel Bad for You mix for November is live!
“Hidely-ho neighbors! We’ve back, and feeling bad for November. Your favorite bloggers, twitters, hurricane survivors, pinko commie liberals, and conspiracy theorist wingnuts present this month’s mix. Thanks to Hoosier Buddy for the artwork – he took the photo while standing in the ocean near La Jolla, California. Feel bad for those of us standing in snow (or worse).”
1. Title: Done Got Old
Artist: Heartless Bastards
Album: Stairs and Elevators (2005)
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz
Comment: I just turned 40. This is my new theme song.
2. Title: Outrageous
Artist: Paul Simon
Album: Surprise (2006)
Submitted By: @philnorman
Comments: It’s outrageous a man like me can stand here and complain.
3. Title: Sadie
Artist: Hound Dog Taylor
Album: Natural Boogie (1974)
Submitted By: Truersound
Comments: just three guys laying the groove down, no big deal
4. Title: A Horse Called Music
Artist: Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard
Album: Heroes (2012)
Submitted By: Gorrck
Comments: The original of this song is almost too clean and pure beauty. This has some rough edges but retains the beauty of the song.
5. Title: Beat Surrender
Artist: The Jam
Album: Direction Reaction Creation (1997)
Submitted By: Simon
Comments: Thirty years ago this month the ‘best fucking band in the world’ released their final single and were on the road for their farewell Beat Surrender tour – what else could I choose this month – more on the blog later this month.
6. Title: Blackberries
Artist: Boca Chica
Album (year): Transform Into Beasts (2007)
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: I can’t remember how I stumbled upon Boca Chica, but I’ve had them on my ‘buy’ list for a while. I finally picked up one of their earlier albums and have been enjoying it this week. I had a tough time choosing a song for this month’s FBFY, but I keep going back to this one, so here you go.
7. Title: California Dreamin’
Artist: Barry McGuire
Album: Dunhill LP 50005 (1965)
Submitted By: tincanman
Comments: Sounds like someone taking the piss (UK saying), but this is the original. The Mamas & Papas were in the studio at the same time, so supplied the backing vocals. The Cave-like harshness over the sappy sweet harmonies make it almost punky … or is it because McGuire can’t hold a tune?
8. Title: Everybody Knows
Artist: Allen Thompson Band
Album: Salvation In The Ground (2012)
Submitted By: Bryan Childs (ninebullets.net)
Comments: “Everybody Knows†isn’t a comfortable song. It doesn’t really have a groove and you’ll never dance to it, but like The Eagles “Desperado,†you might find yourself wanting to hold up a lighter while it’s playing. The track eschews “a catchy tune†and goes for the “honesty so brutal you can’t help but sit down and pay attention†lyrics…
9. Title: Separation Anxiety
Artist: Mutts
Album: Separation Anxiety (2012)
Submitted By: April @ Now This Sound Is Brave
Comments: I figured there could hardly be a more fitting contribution to a mixtape that encourages drunken commentary than this shambling, drunken, everybody-sing-now ditty from Chicago’s Mutts.
10. Title: Jamie
Artist: Weezer
Album: DGC Rarities, Volume 1 (1994)
Submitted By: Ryan (Verbow @ Altcountrytab.ca)
Comments: Been on a Weezer kick lately. This is a fine track that didn’t make the Blue Album – just a sweet slice of power poppy goodness. It also comes with a cool story – it was recorded by a friend of the band for his college final – he got a B on it. Nice. Also reminds me of a girl I knew named Suzanne – I keed I keed, a girl named Jamie. Swoon. Good times.
11. Title: Two Riders
Artist: Bohannons
Album: Unaka Rising (2012)
Submitted By: TheOtherBrit
Comments: While the bulk of Atlanta was down the street at the democrats’ bar watching the election results, the Bohannons were putting on a scalp-peeling show for less than a dozen people that rivaled the show I saw for a near sold out crowd in their home-town Chattanooga. This album doesn’t do their live show justice (which is one of the best I’ve seen in years), but for $5 from thisisamericanmusic.com it’s gonna be one of your favorite albums this year.
12. Title: Snake Song
Artist: David Olney with Sergio Garcia
Album: Unreleased – Live at Grimey’s (2012)
Submitted By: toomuchcountry
Comments: Back in February, author Brian Atkinson made an in-store appearance at Grimey’s New and Preloved Music in Nashville to promote “I’ll Be Here In The Morning”, his book about Townes van Zandt. Grimey added to the promotion of Brian’s book by inviting incredible talents such as Will Kimbrough and the legendary Steve Young to sing covers of Townes’ songs or their songs that may have been somehow influenced by him. The striking highlight for me, however, was David Olney’s cover of Snake Song featuring jaw-dropping guitar work by Sergio Webb. My video of the performance is also on YouTube (as well as the performances by Kimbrough and Young).
13. Title: Oxblood
Artist: The Donkeys
Album: Born With Stripes (2011)
Submitted By: hoosier buddy
Comments: Like your second trip to the kissing booth, this song is as thrilling as it is comfortable. With echoes of Marc Bolan, Ray Davies, and the Commotions (minus Lloyd Cole), the alt-country psychedelia whangs and burbles along. The musical question, “could there be a relationship here?”, applies as much to the listener as it does to the girl who says she’s “got friends in from out of town.”
14. Title: Reefer
Artist: Harlan Pepper
Album: Young and Old (2012)
Submitted By: @popa2unes
Comments: I spent most of the week trying to weed out a song to submit, and then Colorado and Washington State made this old stoner a very happy hippie.
15. Title: Joe
Artist: The Pollies
Album: Where the Lies Begin (2012)
Submitted By: Trailer
16. Title: Fields of June
Artist: Emily Barker & the Red Clay Halo (featuring Frank Turner)
Album: Field of June single (2012)
Submitted By: scratchedsoul
Comments: I don’t know much about Emily Barker and the Red Clay Halo but Frank Turner tweets about them a lot. Now he’s singing with her and it’s obvious why he likes her. She was part of the Revival Tour in Europe this year.
17. Title: Calm Me Down
Artist: Port O’Brien
Album: Threadbare (2010)
Submitted By: annieTUFF
Comments: Lately this has been my “ease me into the morning while driving” song.
18. Title: Rotten Alabama
Artist: Ramsay Midwood
Album: Larry Buys A Lighter (2011)
Submitted by: Corey Flegel (This Is American Music)
Comments: Ramsay is a Texas legend in my eyes. Every record he’s put out is stellar. If you’re ever in Austin…
