New Digs......

Ok, so i didn't even make two weeks in a row gettin my new digs out on time. i went back home for a wedding this past weekend and never found time. And then yesterday, my songs were somewhat inaccessible due to a much needed relocation and reorganization of my library to an external hard drive. i guess i just can't take the chance of my iPod donkeyin' off all my songs again. But never fear, better late than never, and all those clichés.

These first two tracks come simply from diggin' deeper into a couple of the artists mentioned on last week's 'New Digs':

mp3: Okkervil River - John Allyn Smith Sails ~ from The Stage Names (2007)

The closing track from their lastest release didn't hit me as a great song on the first listen. i definately noticed the dark, cynical lyrics, but nothing more. Upon further review, i caught the irony in the song. Will Scheff takes some sort of 'suicide-note lyric' and creates an hugely theatrical, uplifting tune (had to look this up, but John Allyn Smith was John Berryman's original name. He was a poet that committed suicide by jumping off a bridge in '72).

Scheff claims that "by the second verse, [his] head will burst, [his] life will end", and he doesn't disappoint. What he means by his head bursting is that the band will break into a, somehow fitting, rockin' rendition of The Beach Boys' Sloop John B. If the title doesn't ring a bell, take a listen - the melody is unmistakeable. Nice album-ender.

mp3: The Roadside Graves - Jesus Is A Friend of the Family ~ from If Shacking Up Is All You Want To Do (Self-Released album available only from the band)

Trips to the closest things to record stores in College Station (i.e. Hastings and Best Buy) proved futile for finding and Roadside Graves or Felice Brothers - two bands on the top of my wishlist. But i did come across this little song from the Graves. I still don't know if i'm supposed to laugh at it, but i do - everytime.

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And here are some songs from dudes i haven't posted about - both new and nowhere near new:

mp3: Nathan Hamilton - Hangin' On ~ from Six Black Birds (2007)

Earlier this year, i went to visit some friends in Hunstville and happened to catch this guy at The Stardust Room. Had some kick-ass fish tacos at this cool little listening room/bar. i didn't get to stay for the whole set, but i definately remembered this song. So, naturally, i was pumped when i found it for download on his MySpace. An inwardly reflective, slow tune that closes out his '07 release. Note the strange, but clever, use of cricket chirps almost indiscerable in the background.

mp3: Donovan - To Sing For You ~ from What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid (1965)

This was the first song of Donovan's i ever heard. It was a long time ago, and i nearly forgot about the guy until, a couple weeks ago on one of the aformentioned failed trips to Hastings, i picked up Don't Look Back - yet another Dylan Documentary i now own. There's a really cool scene where both Dylan and Donovan (often compared to each other) are hangin' in the same hotel room with a bunch of other beatniks. They each play a song - Dylan It's All Over Now, Baby Blue and Donovan To Sing For You - and both give meager, but approving nods across the room.

enjoy responsibly....