BOY: Small numbers
I have a bit of a soft spot for non-native speakers who use English to express themselves in their lyrics. Even when they are not particularly sophisticated, it’s the word choice and imagery referencing different languages that engages me. BOY, a young duo comprized of Valeska Steiner from Zurich and Sonja Glass from Hamburg, have […]
Bon Iver: Holocene
On Bon Iver’s new album, lyrics are part of the ethereal soundscape. Justin Vernon, aka Bon Iver, seems to be following in the footsteps of Sigur Rós, the Icelandic post-rock band who focus on the overall sound to the point where they have developed an unintelligible language, Vonlenska (which translates as Hopelandic) that you are […]
Joni Mitchell: You turn me on I’m a radio
Way back in 1972, Joni Mitchell introduced her brand-new song to the audience like this: “You see, I’ve never had a hit, so I decided that…” (Awww!) “No I haven’t, I haven’t had a hit, I mean, I” (I haven’t had a hit!) “(laughs) I haven’t had a chance to, like, watch any, like… I, […]
Lisa Hannigan: Knots
A dark November thriller : Lisa Hannigan presents her song “Knots” in a video that picks up on the paramilitary game of Paintball to present the everyday wars fought out in a relationship gone bad. It seems also to evoke the archaic and horrorific stoning of a woman who has lost her man. The video […]
Fleet Foxes: Grown Ocean
Bollywood meets the Beach Boys. Off of “Helplessness Blues”, released some time last spring when I wasn’t paying attention. Thanks Thomas. Fleet Foxes: Grown Ocean (Robin Pecknold) In that dream I’m as old as the mountains Still as starlight reflected in fountains Children grown on the edge of the ocean Kept like jewelry kept with […]
Lana Del Rey: Video Games
Wow. Unbelievably hypnotic. Eamonn, again. Review on Pitchfork. Swinging in the backyard Pull up in your fast car Whistling my name Open up a beer And you say get over here And play a video game I’m in his favorite sun dress Watching me get undressed Take that body downtown I say you the bestest […]
John Prine: Dear Abby
The wonderful singer-songwriter John Prine turned 65 yesterday (thanks Eamonn).“Dear Abby” was an advice column founded in 1956 by Pauline Phillips under the pen name of Abigail Van Buren, and was syndicated in the Washington Post. Or was it in the evening paper, the Evening Star (later the Washington Star)? We got both. I never […]
