All this jazz about Radiohead being opposed (and rightly so) to the release of a Greatest Hits comp has gotten me to thinkin’. Actually it was one of the comments on the NME article, but I would’ve come up with it eventually. If EMI wanted to do something that would sell, and be less blatantly offensive, they ought to have released a B-Sides & Rarities instead. Y’know, like Amnesiac. Anyone who likes Radiohead enough to be interested in this Hits disc is likely to have those songs already because, well, they are good songs. So it’s a rarities night tonight: the sexiest song ever written (according to Thom), the sexiest song ever written (according to me), a corrected version of an old song done live on French TV, an old song done for the radio with members of the Posies (not Pixies, I can’t stress this enough), a “No Surprises” b-side, a string quartet rendition of an OK Computer track, one of my favourite early songs live, and an acoustic version of Kid A’s closer. I think it’s a pretty balanced selection. And, because I like you, I’m throwing in a video of “Karma Police” live on Le Reservoir. That whole set is floating around YouTube, I recommend you seek ‘em out. [youtube onw96jFCHb4]

 Radiohead - Nobody Does it Better (live) [3:35m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Radiohead - Talk Show Host [4:14m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Radiohead - Fog (again) [live] [2:17m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Radiohead - Blow Out (acoustic) [3:23m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Radiohead - How I Made My Millions [3:08m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Section - Electioneering [3:15m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Radiohead - Killer Cars (live) [2:17m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Radiohead - Motion Picture Soundtrack (acoustic) [3:16m]: Play in Popup | Download

Um, so feel free to tell me if I’m wrong, but…

What is the point of Colin Meloy singing live? Really. Cos he’s just singing The Decemberists material, of which he is the lead singer, so….you get a mix album of The Decemberists shit without the bass, drums, and keyboard, as well as the occasional tambourine and female vocals. And whatever else. So, again, I ask, what is the point? I think it’s a bit redundant.

And by the way, I haven’t heard the album save a few tracks and I do really like The Decemberists. Just so you know, before you think I’m starting a Meloy bashfest. I’m not a basher.

Maybe I’ll write you guys back when I’ve given the whole album a listen. I had to get these thoughts out to you, though. Damon, being a consummate Decemberists lover, is going to virtually kick my ass.

Colin Meloy | Myspazz | Buy It

 Colin Meloy - Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect/Dreams [4:56m]: Play in Popup | Download (173)

As I’ve said before, I do mix tapes, and I do them well. However, I’ve been known to do a stupid thing or two in my day. Now you get to know about ‘em!!

Yesterday I was listening to a mix called Statistics version 3.1, which I’d made for the Girl about a year ago. The Exposure Box was still in full swing, obviously, as the track list seemed pretty close to an average episode of the E-Box, which means there’s some great music, but some decisions are not quite right for the situation. For instance, the Girl doesn’t really need a Mars Volta song in the middle of things. But that’s not what I’m here to confess. What I did that is horrible, I followed “Samson” by Regina Spektor, a very sweet song, one that’s special to me & the Girl, and the slower (better) version from Songs, with, of all things, Travis’ acoustic cover of “Baby, One More Time.” I didn’t realize the gravity of what I’d done until I was relaxing with the Girl, being all mushy during “Samson” and then…CHUCKLES!! Yeah, I screwed that right up. Learn from my mistakes, kiddies.

P.S. Something I didn’t even think of until just now is how superfluous “Baby, One More Time” was overall on the CD. I’d already used Damien Rice’s acoustic cover of “Doves Cry/Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You” and the Pictures’ acoustic “Milkshake.” So regardless of placement, it really was just one too many ironic acoustic covers for one mix. The more I think about this disc, the more rushed it sounds. Not my finest hour, but I did score a great transition going from “Gyasi Went Home” by Bedouin Soundclash to “If you Got the Money” by Jamie T. Try it yourselves!!

 Regina Spektor - Samson [3:53m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Travis - Baby One More Time (acoustic) [3:34m]: Play in Popup | Download

I love Mason Jennings. Fortunately, so does Damon. Fortunately, for all of us, Mason’s got a new album coming out in May. May 20th, to be exact, and its called In the Ever. And…got an mp3eesie for you! Whoop whoop!

In case you’re not familiar, Mason is on Jackie J’s label, Brushfire Record. Check him out. First song that got me hooked was ‘Black Panther’. Me and the boyfriend still belt that one out of the car pretty frequently.

He’s doing all kinds of touring with Jackie J, Brett Dennen, Missy Higgins and G Love this year so check his website for updates. Or here.

Mason Jennings Official Website

Mason on MySpazz

 Fighter Girl - Mason Jennings [3:21m]: Play in Popup | Download (230)

I’ve seen a fair number of shows featuring a fair number of artists, but as far as legend status goes, people I feel honoured & privileged to have seen Daniel Johnston has to hold the top spot (followed by Toots & the Maytals, who opened for Dave Matthews Band back in ‘98, when I would’ve wanted to see DMB and didn’t know who Toots was). Actually, I had only just seen the film The Devil and Daniel Johnston a few days before I saw that the show was announced. What fortuitous circumstances!!

Really, if you aren’t familiar with Daniel Johnston yet, this article in Salt Lake’s City Weekly explains about as eloquently as you can just why you should love Daniel Johnston. I meant to write something here after I saw The Devil and Daniel Johnston, but now I’m glad I didn’t because I would have gotten it all wrong. I didn’t quite get it yet, but at the show I heard it. Truth. The ability to express things properly, to peg an emotion. It’s what initially drew me to Bob Dylan, it’s something I noticed at my first Rademacher show, and it’s something I feel in Daniel Johnston.

Regarding the show itself, a few quick notes.  It’s interesting to note that Daniel only played guitar on the first two songs, his friend playing guitar on a few more before Band of Annuals, who opened, came up as a backing band.  According to Dave, who knows his psychotic meds, Daniel was shaking like he was on lithium.  This might be why he only played guitar on two songs.  Also, “Devil Town” is the most excellent encore, and truly made the evening complete.

So now I’ve got music for you to hear.  “Rock ‘n’ Roll/EGA” you might recognize from Empire Records.  It’s the songs that plays when Mark ends up on stage with Gwar.  Bright Eyes’ cover of “Devil Town” is what Dave had on his computer at the time.  I chose to buy a CD instead of a “Hi, How Are You?” shirt, so more music will likely be forthcoming.  The CD seemed perfectly targeted to me, actually, since as you may know I’m something of a tribute album whore.  Discovered Covered has one disc of covers and one disc of the originals of those songs.  The group of artists covering songs is interesting because I remember thinking during the show about artists who’ve been notably influenced by Daniel Johnston, and a good number of those (I’m thinking specifically of Eels) are on that CD.  I’ll save more words for later, keep you on your toes.

Daniel Johnston on MySpace | Daniel Johnston Official | Pictures from the Show (courtesy Taryn Paye)

  Daniel Johnston - Rock 'n' Roll/EGA : Play in Popup | Download
 Bright Eyes - Devil Town [3:06m]: Play in Popup | Download

I was really late to jump on the Say Anything train. A friend of mine, maybe a couple of them, put “Alive With the Glory of Love” up on their MySpazz profiles back in the spring of ‘06, and I couldn’t get past the first 30 seconds of it. I thought, A band called “Say Anything” and a song about the glory of love, and an opening that screams of Bowie’s “Let’s Dance.”* 80’s pop culture reference, much? I was pretty turned off, even more so at the over the top second single “Wow, I Can Get Sexual, Too” which, I know, is supposed to be over the top, but it did nothing to change my mind. When, in fall of ‘07, Dave finally came across “Alive With the Glory of Love” and made me listen to all of it, I realized it’s a pretty good song, but left it at that for a few months.

Then, yesterday, I was walking home from work, listening to the Notwist (which, if you don’t know, is German lo-fi with little electronic bits, pretty far removed from Say Anything’s bombastic emo-pop swagger) and it struck me: I haven’t seen the music video for “Alive With the Glory of Love” yet. It’s probably pretty good, right? Maybe YouTube has some good live versions and stuff. So it’s strange that, when I did hit the YouTubes, I didn’t go straight to the official vid. Or a fan-made video, or a live performance, even. The first video I watched was Julia Nunes (pronounced ‘noons’) doing an acoustic cover of it for Valentine’s Day. That’s right, a girl with an acoustic guitar covering the song I wanted to hear. Good gracious it was good. So good, in fact, that I listened to her sing it again. And then checked out a few more of her videos before actually watching the Say Anything video. Then I went back to Julia’s for a while.

[youtube 3VS--sZ6zJM]

Her rendition of the songs was excellent because she seemed so in tune with the vibe of it. It could be read as a really depressing song, somber at best, as it’s about how a romance is affected by the holocaust (based on Max Bemis’ grandparents, who were holocaust survivors). But it’s not a downer, it’s about devotion even in the face of dire circumstances, and love actually prevails! Strange and refreshing from a genre that can be so cynical (more on Say Anything defending their genre later). Julia hits the song with an excited, positive energy that’s perfect for it.

So now I’m slightly hooked on Julia Nunes. She also writes her own songs and plays ukulele. And is capable of using editing software so as to not only keep her videos interesting, but also harmonize with herself, which makes the singing of a song like “Alive With the Glory of Love” much more effective. If you are also smitten with her, she’s got a CD available, too. It’s entirely possible I’ll post about her again.

*I know the opening of “Let’s Dance” is a reference to “Twist and Shout” but the Ferris Beuller’s Day Off reference to keep with the 80’s theme was more of a stretch.

Julia Nunes official | Julia on MySpace | Julia on YouTube

buy Left, Right, Wrong.