en http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/ Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 60 http://www.audioscrobbler.net/data/webservices http://www.last.fm/user/lassaucepan/journal The Last.fm journal for lassaucepan. Last.fm journals are a place to talk about all things music. http://www.last.fm/user/lassaucepan/journal/2011/01/02/44v99n_one_song._each_day._every_day._%282011%29 Sun, 2 Jan 2011 06:59:10 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/lassaucepan/journal/2011/01/02/44v99n_one_song._each_day._every_day._%282011%29 The title says it. Every day i'm going to pick a song I think represents that day the best and I'll even give a little explanation why.

Reasons I may pick a song:

I listened to it a lot.
I had it in my head.
I was blown away by it.
I discovered it.
I rediscovered it.
I heard it somewhere special.
I listened to the lyrics in a new way.
I learned something about it.
I cried to it.
I saw it performed.
It's a really fucking good song.

Saturday, Jan. 1: Animal Collective - Bluish - Packing all my stuff to leave the place where everyone I love is and used to be, and listening to this song as I do so.

Sunday, Jan. 2: Hockey - Song Away - How ironic would it be if you played this song at 11:59 p.m.? Oh wait...

Monday, Jan. 3: Athlete - Superhuman Touch - Smooth indie rock, put me to sleep while I try to block out all this incessant noise.

Tuesday, Jan. 4: Explosions in the Sky - So Long, Lonesome - I'm going to have to agree with those who say song titles don't matter. The song titles and album names of anything by Explosions are enough to prove my point.

Wednesday, Jan. 5:LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends - You know how sometimes you can't help but think a song is about you?

Thursday, Jan. 6: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - This Love is Fucking Right! - Hopefully these guys will bring me home.

Friday, Jan. 7: Japandroids - Young Hearts Spark Fire - I downloaded near a hundred songs today. This one sticks out.

Saturday, Jan. 8: Autechre - Foil - Rarely do I find music that actually helps me study rather than distracts me. I found (rediscovered) some!

Sunday, Jan. 9: Blondes - Virgin Pacific - Today was just one of those days where I sat in front of my computer visiting every website 12 times and not doing anything productive. Days like these lead to me watching videos like this.

Monday, Jan. 10: Soft Landing - Ibiza - I really only downloaded this album because I liked the cover, but this is a pretty cool song.

Tuesday, Jan. 11: Dear and the Headlights - Run In The Front - Sometimes I wonder if the only reason I really love a song now is because I once loved it. If this is the case, I better keep finding songs I love.

Wednesday, Jan. 12: The National - Little Faith - I had this song on repeat in my head today and cannot for the life of me figure out why. It's a great song and all, it has just never stood out like this before.

Thursday, Jan. 13: Dark Arts - Rivers - My need to play anything I find in the stacks from Ohio has once again proven fruitful.

Friday, Jan. 14: Neon Indian - Should Have Taken Acid With You - Tonight was a great night in the old sense of the word.

Saturday, Jan. 15: Manchester Orchestra - Wolves At Night - This song used to be better.

Sunday, Jan. 16: The Flaming Lips - All We Have Is Now - The Flaming Lips are masters of capturing an essence.

Monday, Jan. 17: Coconut Records - Drummer - Apparently this guy is All That? I'll buy it.

Tuesday, Jan. 18: Voxtrot - Missing Pieces - This is one of the first indie rock bands I ever got into, so I'd say I have a sort of special connection to them. I go through phases where they're all I want to listen to, probably because I'm nostalgic, but possibly because they really are (were) something special.

Wednesday, Jan. 19: Interpol - Evil - I keep trying to get into this band, but I keep getting held back because I like this one song too much.

Thursday, Jan. 20: Arcade Fire - No Cars Go - To say I cannot wait for April 25th would be the biggest understatement in the world!

Friday, Jan. 21: The Antlers - Wake - This album is probably the most depressing album I know of which makes it very hard to listen to, but when I do I always find something beautiful.

Saturday, Jan. 22: Antony and the Johnsons - The Great White Ocean - Today music was the only path to tranquility.

Sunday, Jan. 23: The Album Leaf - Over The Pond - I am so stuck on the ambiance.

Monday, Jan. 24: Wolf Parade - What Did My Lover Say? (It Always Had to Go This Way) - I tried and tried to get into this album over the summer and just couldn't do it. Tonight when I listened to it I heard something completely new. I guess you can't force these things.

Tuesday, Jan. 25: Ra Ra Riot - Each Year - I finally had myself convinced that these guys weren't my favorite band because I was embarrassed how "indie pop" they are. But then I listened to them again after a few months' break (and couldn't stop...) and I can no longer deny that I LOVE THIS BAND. They resonate perfectly with me.

Wednesday, Jan. 26: Arcade Fire - Ready To Start - I hate to keep using the same artist but right now Arcade Fire is consuming my life. Today in English we talked about The Emperor's New Clothes and I couldn't help thinking about this song and how whoever wrote that Double Take article on Stereogum severely underestimated the intelligence of the lyrics on The Suburbs.

Thursday, Jan. 27: The Handsome Family - No One Fell Asleep Alone - They keep telling me I'm going to find some of my favorite bands in the stacks. They might be right.

Friday, Jan. 28: Delphic - Doubt - Packing up my room to some indie pop jams. Now that's what I call a party!

Saturday, Jan. 29: Braids - Plath Heart - First song I listened to in my new room woooo!

Sunday, Jan. 30: Free Energy - Dream City - No one, no thing, will ever take the indie pop rocker out of me. This song is so me in every way.

Monday, Jan. 31: James Blake - Wilhelms scream - I have never heard anything like this. It's beautiful.

Tuesday, Feb. 1: Jonsi - Go Do - We should always know that we can do anything.

Wednesday, Feb. 2: Noah And The Whale - 5 Years Time - First snow day since '79. Everyone needs some beauty in their lives. I found some alright.

Thursday, Feb. 3: Delorean - Stay Close - You really can't listen to summer songs in the winter (especially during the blizzard of 2011)...

Friday, Feb. 4: Yo La Tengo - Sugarcube - Acting out an episode of Seinfeld? Really? Never before have I wanted to boo a band off stage so badly. But then...this happened.

Saturday, Feb. 5: Deerhunter - He Would Have Laughed - Today was such a Deerhunter kind of day. A kid from my high school did a cover of this song that was absolutely inspired.

Sunday, Feb. 6: Wavves - Post Acid - Way to be sold out for both your Chicago shows...

Monday, Feb. 7: Carissa's Wierd - They'll Only Miss You When You Leave - I completely forgot this album existed. Depressing, beautiful songs.

Tuesday, Feb. 8: Caribou - Odessa - After hearing all the hype I finally listened to this album and I've very glad I did. It will not longer sit idly in my itunes.

Wednesday, Feb. 9: Battles - Atlas - I needed something fast, upbeat and instrumental to keep my awake while I read. It's funny listening to a band you haven't listened to in 3 years...you expect one thing but get something completely different. I don't remember these songs having lyrics, but I guess I was wrong.

Thursday, Feb. 10: Mogwai - Folk Death 95 - I'm always impressed with the emotion of post-rock songs, especially without the lyrics.

Friday, Feb. 11: Terry Riley - In C - The most pretentious song I've ever heard.

Saturday, Feb. 12: Wolf Parade - I'll Believe in Anything - This is literally the only song I could listen to today...too bad it's a repeat.

Sunday, Feb. 13: Cher - Believe - My roommate is crazy. In a wonderful way.

Monday, Feb. 14: Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Providence - The preacher man says it's the end of time! I will forever associate this song with organic chemistry. Whether that is a good or bad thing I am not sure yet.

Tuesday, Feb. 15: Gang of Four - Natural's Not In It - When you really need to just zone out...

Wednesday, Feb. 16: Florence + the Machine - Dog Days Are Over - Catchy and her voice is beautiful. I will definitely be stopping by this tent if I make it to bonnaroo.

Thursday, Feb. 17: Passion Pit - Let Your Love Grow Tall - This is the best Passion Pit song. Period. This song is not poppy shit.

Friday, Feb. 18: Radiohead - Seperator - If you expected me to post something not from The King of Limbs, you are delusional.

Saturday, Feb. 19: Ke$ha - We R Who We R - Yes I did just go from Radiohead to Ke$ha. That's what happens when you hang out with old friends in Chicago. Lovely night.

Sunday, Feb. 20: Akron/Family - Love, Love, Love (everyone) - Show on Thursday: to go or not to go?

Monday, Feb. 21: The Flaming Lips - Evil - But no one ever really can...

Tuesday, Feb. 22: A.A. Bondy - There's A Reason - This is one of my favorite songs of all time. This morning was very strange...I was really zoned out so I sat at my laptop watching live A.A. Bondy videos for and hour and a half. I was mesmerized. What a talented individual he is.

Wednesday, Feb. 23: MGMT - Time To Pretend - Just last year, I used to listen to this song and feel empowered, like, yeah who needs school and jobs and money and shit? FUCK IT. Now i listen to this song and think how stupid and immature the lyrics are. Crazy how fast your perspective can change.

Thursday, Feb. 24: Tall Dwarfs - The Future See - Sometimes I'll sit for 5 minutes trying to think of a song for the day, but never on Thursdays. Thursdays are easy because I always find something in the stacks at WNUR worth sharing. The challenge is not trying to remember what I listened to that impacted my day as is the case most days, but rather picking which awesome discovery is the most awesome.

Friday, Feb. 25: Pinback - Non Photo-Blue - I didn't even know these guys were still together let alone playing a show in Chicago in April!

Saturday, Feb. 26: The Shins - Girl on the Wing - Tonight was so weird. This song was part of it. I have this problem where I get attached to old music then I can't listen to all this new music that's flooding in. This is a prime example.

Sunday, Feb. 27: Crystal Castles - Not In Love - Why did I not know this album was so good before tonight?! It has been sitting idly in my library since it came out. I was missing out!

Monday, Feb. 28: The Decemberists - Calamity Song - I'm pretty sure I think I really like the new(ish) album.

Tuesday, Mar. 1: Modest Mouse - Ocean Breathes Salty - I always feel bad for the track that comes after the hit single on an album. It always gets neglected.

Wednesday, Mar. 2: Amon Tobin - Get Your Snack On - Whipping out the study music.

Thursday, Mar. 3: Boards of Canada - 1969 - I remember I used to feel so nerdy listening to stuff like this in 8th grade. Thank god we don't stay so self-conscioius. This shit's great.

Friday, Mar. 4: Eiffel 65 - Blue (Da Ba De) - First day of Dance Marathon 2011. So much fun!

Saturday, Mar. 5: Daft Punk - One More Time - Day 2 of DM. I was shocked at how few people knew this song. It's a classic!

Sunday, Mar. 6: Jonathan Richman - That Summer Feeling - Chicago winters are the longest...

Monday, Mar. 7: My Morning Jacket - Gideon - Two years ago when I listened to this song I got something out of it completely different than I do today. This is why MMJ is back on my list of bands to see live even though I saw them in the summer of '08. I would appreciate them in a whole new way now I think.

Tuesday, Mar. 8: Black Moth Super Rainbow - Lollipopsichord - I feel like such a stoner when I listen to them. I love it.

Wednesday, Mar. 9: Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition - These all-nighters NEED to stop.

Thursday, Mar. 10: Kanye West - Monster - Imma need to see your fuckin hands at the concert.

Friday, Mar. 11: Death Cab for Cutie - Blacking Out the Friction - The resonance stabilization provided by Death Cab for Cutie provides a favorably low energy state, easily fallen upon when faced with situations of high stress.

Saturday, Mar. 12: The Beatles - Hey Jude - There is this awesome piano-based cover of this song that they always play at the cafe I study at. I wish I knew who it was by.

Sunday, Mar. 13: Matt & Kim - No More Long Years - Call Matt & Kim elementary. Call them unsophisticated. Call them obnoxious. Call them anything you want, but I still think they're worth so much more than anyone gives them credit for. Listen to this song and tell me they haven't lived. Just try. JUST TRY.

Monday, Mar. 14: Radiohead - Lotus Flower - The night before my orgo final: "What are you doing?" "Watching Thom Yorke bust some moves." "Good Choice."

Tuesday, Mar. 15: Jamie Foxx - Blame It (On the Alcohol) - VICTORY SHOTS! (I got this song in my head because there was a problem on my exam about methyl alcohol. Chem nerd and proud of it!)

Wednesday, Mar. 16: Pinback - Fortress - I used to think this song was the most annoying thing ever. Now I enjoy it. I must've heard a lot more annoying things since I first heard this.

Thursday, Mar. 17: Octopus Project - Upmann - A bus ride with this music and I will be listening to these guys a lot more from now on.

Friday, Mar. 18: Gorillaz - On Melancholy Hill - Mmmmmmmmmmm.

Saturday, Mar. 19: Olivia Tremor Control - Mystery - Perspective is everything. The streets of Cincinnati are impossible to navigate.

Sunday, Mar. 20: Suuns - Up Past The Nursery - Since I slept through today I'll give two from yesterday. Sometimes you have to force a good time. Like opening your windows on the highway even thought it's cold out and blasting your music even though you have a headache.

Monday, Mar. 21: Pavement - Gold Soundz - He just has one of those familiar voices that makes you want to listen.

Tuesday, Mar. 22: Phoenix - Fences (The Soft Pack Remix) - A garage rock version of an overplayed Phoenix song? Interesting.

Wednesday, Mar. 23: Wilco - How to Fight Lonliness - I'm not lonely right now, and I'm thankful for that, but next time I am I need to remember this song.

Thursday, Mar. 24: Los Campesinos! - Romance Is Boring - They have some better tracks but I picked this one because it is the catchiest. So sue me...

Friday, Mar. 25: Arcade Fire - Suburban War - In exactly one month my world will be rocked. On that familiar drive up to the Lumbus today I decided this is currently my favorite off the Suburbs. The lyrics get to me.

Saturday, Mar. 26: The Tallest Man on Earth - Burden of Tomorrow - If what this song espouses is really achievable, I think following it would make you golden.

Sunday, Mar. 27: Cut Copy - Autobahn Music Box - These guys mix well with excessive amounts of caffeine and long bus rides.

Monday, Mar. 28: Belle & Sebastian - Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John - Sets the mood.

Tuesday, Mar. 29: The Earth is a Man - Dymaxion - Good job guys. You're all very talented and I especially enjoy your album.

Wednesday, Mar. 30: Hum - Stars - This track has nostalgia written all over it and I'm not even nostalgic about it...yet.

Thursday, Mar. 31: Fleet Foxes - Lorelai - I missed the bandwagon when it came to Fleet Foxes but I think I may be hopping on soon. New album sounds great.

Friday, Apr. 1: Rebecca Black - Friday - APRIL FOOLS!

Saturday, Apr. 2: Martin Solveig - Hello - "How do you know this song?" "Uhh...it's my best friend's jam."

Sunday, Apr. 3: Slowdive - Waves - This song is simply beautiful.

Monday, Apr. 4: Boards of Canada - Hey Saturday Sun - I am impressed at how different this album sounds from their other stuff. Hopefully we will be saying hello to the Saturday sun soon...

Tuesday, Apr. 5: My Morning Jacket - Off the Record - You've got to learn to rearrange and keep it off the record. This lyric means more recently than it ever has before. Just change, don't beat yourself up about who you were before.

Wednesday, Apr. 6: Animal Collective - Meet the Light Child - I really don't feel guilty for posting as many Animal Collective tracks as I have because all their albums sound so far from each other.

Thursday, Apr. 7: Maps & Atlases - Every Place Is A House - You are my favorite people. How can such talented awesome people be so incredibly friendly and chill? I might have a little obsession a'brewin.

Friday, Apr. 8: Imogen Heap - Hide And Seek - A friend of mine showed me this song a while ago and I dismissed it, not because I don't enjoy it, more because I get so many music recommendations that I can never keep up. This got put on the bottom of the list, but I'm glad I finally got around to appreciating this song and the whole album. Sometimes it's a struggle to find a balance between music you already love and new music you know you could love, but don't have the memories tied to it to love it just quite yet.

Saturday, Apr. 9: Work Drugs - Dog Daze - I got to meet you guys on Thursday. Lovely. I got to play you guys on air today. Also lovely. You seem like cool people, but I have one question: Where are you from?! Philly or the Florida Keys? I've gotten such mixed answers.

Sunday, Apr. 10: Sleigh Bells - Crown on the Ground - Sometimes you need a little pick-me-up and nothing does it better.

Monday, Apr. 11: The Drums - Let's Go Surfing - Summer is almost here...I can feel it in the air. I wonder if you can surf on Lake Michigan?

Tuesday, Apr. 12: PlayRadioPlay! - Compliment Each Other Like Colors - Hahaha this 30 Day Song Challenge on Facebook has got me remembering some pretty hilarious stages in my musical-taste development.

Wednesday, Apr. 13: Depeche Mode - Policy Of Truth - They are one of those bands that have so much material out there that it's overwhelming, so I'll just stick to this thanks.

Thursday, Apr. 14: Kanye West - Runaway - This is my plan: run away fast as you can.

Friday, Apr. 15: The Walkmen - Woe Is Me - These guys are a live band if I ever knew one. Fan-fucking-tastic.

Saturday, Apr. 16: My Bloody Valentine - Cupid Come - I don't know when I'm going to kick this shoegaze phase. Hopefully never.

Sunday, Apr. 17: Man Man - Rabbit Habits - I admire how this band merges innovation with pleasurable listening. That's how great music is made.

Monday, Apr. 18: Squarepusher - My Red Hot Car - As cool as a song as this is, it doesn't make such great study music, which is all I do lately.

Tuesday, Apr. 19: The Postal Service - Be Still My Heart - Not changing your shirt used to gross me the hell out. Now it's normal beyond normal (not that I do it, but it's not gross).

Wednesday, Apr. 20: Princeton - Shout It Out - Trying to explain who signed my shoes to someone on 4/20 leads to me singing this song completely out of key expecting people to know what I'm talking about.

Thursday, Apr. 21: Animal Collective - Flesh Canoe - I was so amused by this song today. AC never ceases to confuse.

Friday, Apr. 22: Deerhunter - Basement Scene - This song is very frightening and slightly ironic to wake up to from an afternoon nap.

Saturday, Apr. 23: tUnE-yArDs - Gangsta - New album -> so good. This song is funny.

Sunday, Apr. 24: Modest Mouse - The Good Times Are Killing Me - True story...they are.

Monday, Apr. 25: The National - Start a War - Today I experienced the best concerts (and one of the best nights) of my young life. When Win Butler came out to sing this as a duet with Matt Berninger, I don't think my soul has ever smiled harder.

Tuesday, Apr. 26: Arcade Fire - Sprawl (Flatland) - After Monday, I did not want to listen to anything but these guys. This song almost brought me to tears.

After a little break, let's get this party started back up.

Sunday, May 29: The New Pornographers - All The Old Showstoppers - They are truly the masters of catchy. Happy Dillo Day 2011!

Monday, May 30: Peter Bjorn and John - Tomorrow Has To Wait - I sang this all over town today.

Tuesday, May 31: Death Cab for Cutie - Underneath The Sycamore - Once every couple of years a day comes that stand out among the rest. This day is Death Cab release day.

Wednesday, June 1: Weezer - Pink Triangle - I used to think Weezer turned to shit when they made Make Believe. Thing is, they're just a band trying to make music and everything they make isn't going to be great. Just like all the other bands out there who make great music. That's something I need to remember, and try not to judge when a band tries something new that doesn't necessarily meet the expectations I hold them to.

Thursday, June 2: The Dodos - Going Under - Who to see on monday: The Dodos or Iron & Wine?

Friday, June 3: Eyvind Kang & Tucker Martine - Horizon - I'm so glad I decided to get out of bed and go do my show today. J'adore WNUR.

Saturday, June 4: Radiohead - Videotape - It's hard to decide when to pick a song I listen to so often. Which day deserves it? If any day, this one. I love you grandma.

Sunday, June 5: The Beatles - Hey Jude - I'll miss our musical nights in SMQ 315.

Monday, June 6: Iron & Wine - Flightless Bird, American Mouth - I'm bummed I missed their show. I bet it was superb.

(My god this is difficult to keep up with in the summer!)

Monday, June 13: Why? - Crushed Bones - Their music is so sweet but their lyrics are so bitter.

Tuesday, June 14: Panda Bear - Slow Motion - Ahhhh Ohio summer nights.

Wednesday, June 15: YACHT - Love in the Dark - Hype something up in my eyes and I'm bound to think the highest of it.

Thursday, June 16: Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks - Spin thinks this is gonna be one of the top songs of the summer. I agree.

Friday, June 17: Sonic Youth - Tunic (Song for Karen) - Don't be sad. The band doesn't look half bad. And I remember mom, what you said. You said, honey, you look so underfed.

Saturday, June 18: Maps & Atlases - The Charm - Paranoia ensues.

Sunday, June 19 (MY BIRTHDAY!): Television - See No Evil - Maybe I've been listening to Codes & Keys too much, but I feel like this song is really structurally similar to You Are A Tourist. Repeated catchy riff, amplified drumming, 2 distinct vocal segments...

Monday, June 20: Los Campesinos! - I Warned You Do Not Make An Enemy Of Me - These guys are quite the lyricists. If this changed your life, did you have one before?

Tuesday, June 21: Pixies - Hey - I wish that growing up I had been exposed to these classics. I feel a little late discovering them now.

Wednesday, June 22: Sleigh Bells - Tell 'Em - Officially my angry music.

Thursday, June 23: Fleet Foxes - Montezuma - Cannot wait to see them in July!

Friday, June 24: Bright Eyes - Another Travilin' Song - It's been awhile since i've listened to them, but sometimes you just need some good sad songs.

Saturday, June 25: Kanye West - Gorgeous (feat. Kid Cudi & Raekwon) - He's such a genius. SUCH A GODDAMN GENIUS.

Sunday, June 26: The Whigs - Nothing Is Easy - This is the type of band I would ordinarily overlook because they sound like many other bands. There is something special about them though. There usually is with every band.

Monday, June 27: The DrumsI Felt Stupid - What is the difference between living selfishly and living happily? That line has always been fuzzy to me.

Tuesday, June 28: Bon Iver - Holocene - Magnificence. Magnificence?

Wednesday, June 29: Battles - Inchworm - I'm gonna be keeping this album around for a while.

Thursday, June 30: Nada Surf - Blonde on Blonde - Sometimes you need a good sentimental song when you're sitting alone in a car on a summer night.

Friday, July 1: Times New Viking - Faces on Fire - Arguing that this "noise" is better than Owl City's cute puns left me realizing I may be more of a music snob than I thought.

Saturday, July 2: OK Go - Do What You Want - I need to stop myself from becoming too pretentious to enjoy stuff like this.

Sunday, July 3: Radiohead - My Iron Lung - In the mood for some delicious 90's brit rock.

Monday, July 4: Cut Copy - The Twilight - Music like this gives me a slight spark of hope that everything will be okay.

Tuesday, July 5: The National - Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks - This band is so peculiarly vulnerable.

Wednesday, July 6: A. C. Newman - Secretarial - Disappointing. He is better in the New Porn...

Thursday, July 7: Yeasayer - O.N.E. - Heard this song last weekend at Second City and could not for the life of me place the title or artist. Glad I finally figured it out.

Friday, July 8: Soulwax - E-Talking - Her voice is so fucking creepy.

Saturday, July 9: Beyonce - 1 + 1 - Oh Beyonce, you hit those high notes grrrrrl.

Sunday, July 10: Fleet Foxes - The Shrine/An Argument - His voice does such marvelous things.

Monday, July 11: The Stokes - Under Cover Of Darkness - Complicated music only makes sense when situations are just as complicated.

Tuesday, July 12: Arctic Monkeys - The View from the Afternoon - I always thought they were older than they are.

Wednesday, July 13: Das Racist - Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell - I feel like this is not the kind of music you can learn to like 2 days before you see them at a festival.

Thursday, July 14: TV On The Radio - Shout Me Out - If I shout you out I'll get fired.

Friday, July 15: Battles - Ice Cream - Missed tUnE-yArDs to see these guys but I can't say I regret it. Love.

Saturday, July 16: Gang Gang Dance - Vacuum - After their atrocious performance at Lolla in 2009, I am somewhat shocked to say they were one of my favorite acts at Pitchfork.

Sunday, July 17: Deerhunter - He Would Have Laughed - Last day of a wonderful festival, tired as all hell, on my way out to escape the heat, and these fresh sounds drew me back in for my last song of p4k2k11.

Monday, July 18: The Strokes - Machu Picchu - I forgot I could enjoy a song this much.

Tuesday, July 19: Dr. Dog - Hang On - A six-hour car ride can seem like 20 minutes if you're with the right people.

Wednesday, July 20: Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues - His passion, his vulnerability, his honesty all make this song one of the best of the year. So happy I got to see them live, but that show left me wanting to travel across the country to see them again. Hopefully I can stop myself.

Thursday, July 21: She & Him - Ridin' in My Car - The only tolerable song I heard all day at King's Island. Do they intentionally play terrible music or are they just that oblivious to talent?

Friday, July 22: Shugo Takumaru - Future Umbrella - I'm pretty sure when he made this he didn't anticipate anyone working out to it.

Saturday, July 23: Lucky Dragons - The Sound of Waves - Music like this has me convinced I have synesthesia.

Sunday, July 24: Animal Collective - Who Could Win a Rabbit - I was in my closet and this song came on and I thought someone had picked up my guitar and started strumming. I was terrified for a second there.

Monday, July 25: Young The Giant - My Body - Didn't like the album as much as I hoped I would but this song is alright.

Tuesday, July 26: Black Moth Super Rainbow - Lollipopsichord - They are playing in Chicago the night I'm driving in. Bummer!

Wednesday, July 27: Frightened Rabbit - Poke - You know when you're listening to a song and it feels like it's telling you your own story?

Thursday, July 28: Washed Out - Amor Fati - Chill is hip. Hip is cool.

Friday, July 29: Bon Iver - Hinnom, TX - In Texas appreciating this album for the beauty it holds.

Saturday, July 30: Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies) - Walking into Schlitterbahn and hearing this song improved my view of the park twofold.

Sunday, July 31: Death Cab for Cutie - Underneath The Sycamore - I love how this song sounds like old Death Cab but how it fits so well into the new album.

Monday, August 1: Cut Copy - Need You Now - So catchy. Great running music.

Tuesday, August 2: Two Door Cinema Club - Cigarettes In The Theatre - Some days I can't stand 'em, some days I dig 'em.

Wednesday, August 3: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Even in Dreams - My newly established Pains track, little did I know they would not play it tomorrow.

Thursday, August 4: Sun Airway - Waiting On You - I wished I'd have listened to them before I saw them at Pitchfork...

Friday, August 5: Grizzly Bear - While You Wait for the Others - Reminds me of a cozy winter evening.

Saturday, August 6: Death Cab for Cutie - We Looked Like Giants - This song live. Holy fuck. I have never seen you rock so hard.

Sunday, August 7: Pretty Little Empire - now is not the time - I have no idea where this song came from or when it entered my library but it's cute.

Monday, August 8: Jay-Z & Kanye West - New Day - LOL.

Tuesday, August 9: Radiohead - Hunting Bears - Radiohead are one of the very few bands I was really into when I was a tween and still love, but it's interesting to see which songs I completely overlooked 7 years ago that I today find piercingly beautiful.

Wednesday, August 10: Band of Horses - I Go to the Barn Because I Like The - Clever boys.

Thursday, August 11: blink-182 - The Rock Show - I'm kinda bummed I never went through this stage.

Friday, August 12: Jonsi - Boi Lilikoi - When things get ugly, play something beautiful.

Saturday, August 13: Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F) - My name is Paul, short for Pauline.

Sunday, August 14: Toro Y Moi - Blessa - Soothe me, please.

Monday, August 15: Rewards - Two Cardinals - Seriously, where do they FIND this stuff?

Tuesday, August 16: Boards of Canada - Dandelion - Breaking back out the study tunes.

Wednesday, August 17: ColdplayEvery Teardrop Is a Waterfall - Personally I'm excited for the new Coldplay album and if you are too scared to admit you like Coldplay well fuck you.

Thursday, August 18: Wild Nothing - Confirmation - Gotta listen for it but there's something here.

Friday, August 19: The Kills - Cheap and Cheerful - I don't understand how I get so behind on these ugh.

Saturday, August 20: Bright Eyes - We Are Nowhere And It's Now - Conner. Oh, Connor. The other day I heard some tweenage punks call you "The Bright Eyes." *cringe*

Sunday, August 21: Animal Collective - On a Highway - I had the strangest most passionate craving for this song today. Satisfied.

Monday, August 22: Wilco - Everlasting Everything - Can you say WILCO RELAPSE?!

Tuesday, August 23: The Antlers - French Exit - Oh my fucking god I can't even tell you how much I love this album. Fuck I can't even tell myself how much I love this album.

Wednesday, August 24: We Were Promised Jetpacks - this is my house this is my home - Not what I was expecting with a name like that. So much better than the tween pop I anticipated.

Thursday, August 25: Paul Simon - Graceland - So I heard Vampire Weekend copied Paul Simon? Yeah I can hear that.

Friday, August 26: The Books - A Cold Freezin' Night - The Books have the power to give any mundane experience a trippy edge.

Saturday, August 27: Unknown Mortal Orchestra - FFunny FFriends - Not sure it deserves the excessive hype but this song is catchy as hell.

Sunday, August 28: M83 - Gone - How is this song so tranquil and so motivating and so beautiful at the same time?

Monday, August 29: R. Stevie Moore - Another Day Slips Away - You bet it does, Stevie.

Tuesday, August 30: Dntel - Jitters (Geotic Remix) - ohmygodthissongissogoodwordscannotevendescribe

Wednesday, August 31: Neon Indian - Should Have Taken Acid With You - Or, you know, smoked pot.

Thursday, September 1: Givers - Meantime - I really love how I have no idea where their songs are going, but once they're there it seems perfectly natural.

Friday, September 2: Pictureplane - Post Physical - I'm glad randomization helped me stumble upon this song.

Saturday, September 3: Sigur Ros - Untitled 8 - Please shut up and listen, this beauty takes the pressure off.

Sunday, September 4: The Whigs - Technology - I always forget about this song, but I really like it.

Monday, September 5: M83 - Raconte-Moi Une Histoire - Why is this song so terrifying? Why is this song so perfect?

Tuesday, September 6: The Flaming Lips - The Ego's Last Stand - The problem with putting a tract that sounds like none of your other work as the opener of an album (i.e. "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song" on At War with the Mystics) is that it has the potential to turn people off your band, even if the rest of your music is awesome.

Wednesday, September 7: Baths - Aminals - I don't usually make it this far in this album because every track is so goddamn good!

Thursday, September 8: Wilco - Hate It Here - I try to stay busy, but now I don't have to anymore!

Friday, September 9: Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger - Flash mobbing the freshman = success!

Saturday, September 10: Arcade Fire - Suburban War - I will tell you why this album won a grammy. It's because the songs hit a nerve. The songs are general enough to apply to nearly everyone yet they have the ability to hit on very special experiences unique to each listener. Bravo to Arcade Fire on mastering the subtle art of writing lyrics soon to become classics.

Sunday, September 11: Cee Lo Green - Fuck You - No, fuck YOU a cappella groups for singing this song right outside my window at 11 pm when I have to wake up at the asscrack of dawn.

Monday, September 12: Thee Milkshakes - Hocus Pocus - Oh how I can't wait to get back on the air!


And with that, this tedious journey comes to an end. While I had a lovely time chronicling my music listening habits to an anonymous audience, I now have real responsibilities and can no longer keep up. Thanks to all for reading, y'all are fantastic!]]> http://www.last.fm/user/lassaucepan/journal/2010/10/15/3zbwao_one_song._each_day._every_day._%282010%29 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 05:29:59 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/lassaucepan/journal/2010/10/15/3zbwao_one_song._each_day._every_day._%282010%29 The titles says it. Every day i'm going to pick a song I think represents that day the best and I'll even give a little explanation why.

Reasons I may pick a song:

I listened to it a lot.
I had it in my head.
I was blown away by it.
I discovered it.
I rediscovered it.
I heard it somewhere special.
I listened to the lyrics in a new way.
I learned something about it.
I cried to it.
I saw it performed.
It's a really fucking good song.

So let's get this party started:

Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010: Arcade Fire - We Used to Wait - Going through a rough time adjusting to college 6 hours away from everyone I know and love. I'm changing fast...I just hope something pure can last.

Friday, Oct. 15. 2010: Kid Cudi - Soundtrack 2 My Life - CuDi was at Northwestern tonight. The show was pretty good, this song was by far the highlight for me. Reminded me of driving down Paragon in the summer at 3 in the morning. And he's from Ohio--major bonus points!

Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010: The Drums - Down By The Water - So The Drums were here this past Thursday and I missed them so I thought I'd look up some of their live videos. This one made me smile.

Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010: Miike Snow - Silvia (Robotberget Remix) - In the car with my friends from home, driving down Lake Shore Drive, windows down, stomachs full of Giordano's.

Monday, Oct. 18, 2010: ESG - You're No Good - Tonight at the radio station we learned about no wave, and these girls kinda blew my mind. They were playing shows before they were out of high school and they sounded damn good too.

Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010: Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks - I'd maybe only heard this song a few times before today, but I was watching an older episode of How I Met Your Mother and this song came on and I immediately recognized it. That says something about how well-crafted and great this song is.

Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010: The Avett Brothers - Kick Drum Heart - Every time anyone mentions a kick drum, i automatically hear in my head "my, my, heart like a kick drum." Needless to say, we talked a lot about kick drums today.

Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010: Cary Brothers - Blue Eyes - Tonight this Northwestern alum put on a free show on campus that I was very impressed with. Before this song he told a story about moving to L.A. with his friend Zach Braff (yes, JD) and Zach asked him if he could use this song in his movie Garden State. The soundtrack to Garden State went on to win a grammy.

Friday, Oct. 22, 2010: Lady Gaga - Bad Romance - Heard this song for the first time today in months...brought back so many great memories.

Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010: Metric - Help I'm Alive - I was sick and tired today and all I wanted to do was curl up in bed BUT I had a loooong day downtown at the art institute (which I unfortunately couldn't appreciate). On the L ride back home I listened to this song in my half-awake state and realized how relevant this idea of "Help! I'm alive..." really was to me today.

Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010: Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man - Thus begins me trying to learn how to play this song. We'll see where that goes...

Monday, Oct. 25, 2010: The Sonics - Psycho - Because we learned about garage rock today at WNUR and I've always really loved the Sonics.

Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010: The Shins - Phantom Limb - When you're feeling disconnected from everything, and one lyric pulls you back to reality. Circa '95.

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010: Jim O'Rourke - Therefore, I Am - Mmmmmmmm WNUR.

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010:Matt & Kim - AM/FM Sound - New album is incredible. This is my favorite on first listen and I think it represents the evolved sound found in every track.

Friday, Oct. 29, 2010: The Books - Take Time - Saw the Books tonight, this song was the standout of the show which was incredible by the way.

Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010: Local Natives - Who Knows Who Cares - Favorite Local Natives song...the video just came out so I've been listening to it a lot. The video reminds me of good times (not to say that I'm not having good times now).

Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010: Benjamin Gibbard & Andrew Kenny - You Remind Me of Home - Every word of this song is so perfect. You remind me of home...but the foundation is crumbling...

Monday, Nov. 1, 2010: Band of Horses - The Funeral - Playing this song got me through hours upon hours of studying organic.

Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010: Cymbals Eat Guitars - And The Hazy Sea - Every song by this band is incredible. This one happened to win my heart today.

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010: The Wedding Present - Convertible - "I don't want a friend because I've got friends already/I just want to go back home with you." Why does this sound so familiar?

Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010: The Drums - Forever And Ever Amen - I hope so with all my heart.

Friday, Nov. 5, 2010: Black Moth Super Rainbow - Sun Lips - This song + Robot Unicorn Attack + Under the Radar Mag = Perfect chillout on a Friday afternoon in November.

Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010: The Features - The Temporary Blues - An incidental craving led me to listen to this album for the first time in months, and boy am I glad I did.

Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010: Animal Collective - Bluish - I'm writing a paper about Animal Collective. Best paper topic ever? Most definitely. So as research, I get to listen to Animal Collective which is exactly what I've been doing for the past 3 days. Favorite off MPP at the moment.

Monday, Nov. 8, 2010: Phoenix - Countdown (Sick for the Big Sun) - Nothing to do with today in particular, but it's a damn good song and I felt like listening to it.

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010: Sigur Rós - Svefn-g-englar - This song put me to sleep so beautifully I slept through me first class.

Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010: The National - Mr. November - This song makes me want to go outside and scream at the top of my lungs.

Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010: Acid House Kings - That's Because You Drive Me - I always forget about these guys which is a shame because they rock.

Friday, Nov. 12, 2010: David Vandervelde - Checkin' Out My Baby - We were supposed to have him in our studio today for a live performance. Sadly he had to cancel, but I did check out some of his music and I very much enjoy him.

Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010: Best Coast - Goodbye - I still got it.

Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010: Coldplay - Death And All His Friends - I fell asleep at my desk listening to Coldplay and this is the song I woke up to. It fit my mood too perfectly.

Monday, Nov. 15, 2010: Hey Marseilles - Calabasas - This band, this song, their sound, his voice...so so good. Reminiscent of Death Cab. Thank you Seattle.

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010: Times New Viking - Try Harder - I love songs that are dedicated to fellow Ohioans.

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010: Tape - A Spire - I played this on air today and it was something entirely different than what I thought it was in all the best ways.

Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010: Girls - The Oh So Protective One - I think Girls are moving in a better direction.

Friday, Nov. 19, 2010: White Lies - Bigger Than Us - The video for this song. is. so. good.

Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010: Katy Perry - Teenage Dream - Last night was a shitshow. This song is about all I remember.

Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010: The Autumn Defense - Huntington Fair - Pat and John from Wilco have this side project that I hadn't heard of. They played a show at reckless records today and it was wonderful. This was my favorite from the set. Talked to Pat after and he gave us a free promo CD for WNUR :)

Monday, Nov. 22, 2010: Radiohead - Creep - I hate me.

Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010: Noah And The Whale - Do What You Do - I'm a sucker for existentialist anthems.

Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010: Wilco - You Never Know - So I forgot my auxiliary cord so I couldn't listen to my iPod on my 6-hour drive home, so I listened to this CD over and over and over again.

Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010: Bright Eyes - Another Travelin' Song - Nothin in the past or future ever will feel like today. Words of wisdom, or maybe I'm making something out of nothing. Either way, this Thanksgiving I really have many things to be thankful for.

Friday, Nov. 26, 2010: Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism - It would just so happen that I fall in love with this song when I come back home to the place where I fell in love with it the first time 4 years ago.

Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010: Passion Pit - Smile Upon Me - Being at home, seeing my favorite people in the world, remembering jamming to this song in the spring of junior year, blasting passion pit in my car. Yeah, that's the good life.

Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010: The Flaming Lips - Do You Realize?? - This song applies to every day, but I'm picking now to say it.

Monday, Nov. 29, 2010: Deerhunter - Helicopter - A trip to UO with my biffle and this song is just so good.

Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010: Beyonce - Diva - A visit to OSU left my good friend and I watching Beyonce videos. Just the way it should be.

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010: Broken Social Scene - Meet Me In The Basement - On the bus ride back to Chicago, curled up in my seat, watching the first snowfall of the year, I listened to this song and smiled because it reminded me of summer with my best friend.

Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010: Tame Impala - Expectation - I do enjoy this video quite some bit.

Friday, Dec. 3, 2010: Vampire Weekend - White Sky - Cheers on the Grammy nomination!

Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010: Denki Groove - Fake It - I know this is starting to get old, but another great video. (I watch music videos when I don't want to study for finals...)

Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010: Avi Buffalo - What's In It For? - I get so excited when I hear this song. Reminds me of my grad-party-hopin' days.

Monday, Dec. 6, 2010: Harlem Shakes - Sunlight - I wish so badly that these guys were still around. Glad I got to see em when I did.

Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010: Baths - Maximalist - It really is hard to go out there and radiate your essence.

Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010: Bon Iver - Skinny Love - All done with my first final and I wanted to listen to some of the prettiest music I've heard.

Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010: The Airborne Toxic Event - Wishing Well - Just get on the fucking train and leave today!

Friday, Dec. 10, 2010: Tennis - Marathon - Tonight I went with 2 friends to Schubas to see Tennis. I just heard of them, but my one friend is really into them. I bought my ticket online a week ago. When we get to the door, we find out the show is sold out, so I'm the only one who gets to see them. My friend made me promise to call him when they played this song, so of course I did. Every single person around me was starring at me like wtf how do you have a friend who is THAT into tennis?! Well guess what. I have a friend who is that into Tennis.

Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010: Robyn - Cry When You Get Older - YES I LIKE ROBYN. There I said it. She's awesome.

Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010: Ra Ra Riot - Foolish - There is really no reason I'm picking this song today. I didn't even listen to it. It's just good and I like it and it's one of my favorite songs of the year so I thought I'd recognize it before 2010 is over.

Monday, Dec. 13, 2010: The Tallest Man on Earth - Kids on the Run - I had this in my head when I was trying to get to sleep at 4:00 this morning. I wish this song applied to me.

Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010: Spoon - Who Makes Your Money - Pitchfork how dare you say Written in Reverse is better than this song? This is some of the most haunting keyboard of all time. OF ALL TIME.

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010: Broken Bells - The High Road - Picking a favorite off this album is too hard, so I'll just pick the first one. James Mercer. James beautiful fucking Mercer.

Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010: The Morning Benders - Patient Patient - Just cuz it's real catchy-like.

Friday, Dec. 17, 2010: Kanye West - POWER - So what if it's over-hyped? It's a great album.

Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010: Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me - I've had this album for a while but haven't really gotten into it until now. She is so entertaining to watch.

Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010: Tokyo Police Club - Tessellate - I haven't listened to this song in FOREVER. It used to be a favorite.

Monday, Dec. 20, 2010: Hot Chip - Thieves In The Night - This is one of those deals where I had a song in my head and had no idea where it was from so I forgot about it, then on some random occasion I was listening to the an album and there was my mystery song.

Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010: Fleet Foxes - Sun It Rises - I was a little late with these guys but I'm glad I finally got into them.

Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010: Voxtrot - Kid Gloves - What a lovely trip down memory lane. I miss these guys.

Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Hysteric - A gem in a field of blah.

Friday, Dec. 24, 2010: Modest Mouse - The Good Times Are Killing Me - Sometimes I get scared because I'm getting so old so quickly and there are so many things I want to do. I get even more scared when I look back and see the things I've done. How did that girl turn into this one?

Saturday, Dec. 25, 2010: Mumford & Sons - Winter Winds - You're right on with this head/heart battle.

Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010: Neil Young - A Man Needs a Maid - My experience with Neil Young is unfortunately lacking, but I did enjoy my uncle's old record while I was testing out my new turntable.

Monday, Dec. 27, 2010: Nada Surf - Inside of Love - Sappy? Yes. Special? Very.

Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010: Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - White Jetta - I guess the plus side of discovering an artist after they've quit making music is that you don't have to deal with the sadness that comes with the loss of a great musician.

Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010: Glasser - Apply - Today was a wonderful day in the lumbo. And I got to share this fantastic song with some of the coolest people I know.

Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010: The Black Keys - Everlasting Light - I can't think of another rock band that incorporates so many sounds from different times and places and does so as well as these guys. This album is why I will miss my car so much.

Friday, Dec. 31, 2010: The Antlers - Two - So I was thinking, what song is worthy of this position as song of the year? I didn't have to think long. This song is not only one of the most beautifully heartbreaking I know, but also made many appearances in my 2010. So I move on into 2011 with this song holding onto everything that was 2010, always there for me to revisit.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/lassaucepan/journal/2009/06/02/2rofce_._%3A_live_shows_%3A_. Tue, 2 Jun 2009 18:57:13 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/lassaucepan/journal/2009/06/02/2rofce_._%3A_live_shows_%3A_. I keep this mostly for my own benefit so I can keep track of the shows I've been to but feel free to comment.

!!!
A. A. Bondy
Abe Vigoda
Afortiori
The Airborne Toxic Event
Animal Collective (x2)
The Antlers
Arcade Fire
Ava Luna
Bachelorette
Band of Horses
Band of Skulls (x2)
Baths (x2)
Battles (x2)
Beach House
Bear In Heaven
Ben Miller/Degeneration*
Best Coast (x2)
The Black Heart Procession
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
The Blackbelts*
Blind Pilot
Bon Iver
The Books
Broken Social Scene
Cale Parks
Cary Brothers
Chairlift (x2)
Chikita Violenta
City and Colour
Coldplay
Cold War Kids (x2)
Com Truise
Craft Spells
The Cribs
CSS
Crystal Castles
Daan
Death Cab for Cutie (x4)
The Decemberists (x2)
Deerhunter (x2)
Delorean
Depeche Mode
DJ Shadow
Dum Dum Girls
Envelope
Family Portrait
The Fiery Furnaces
Fleet Foxes
Free Energy
Friendly Fires
Frightened Rabbit
Gang Gang Dance (x2)
Girl Talk
Girls
Glasvegas
Grizzly Bear
Guided By Voices
Harlem Shakes
Here We Go Magic
Hollywood Holt
Jack Johnson
Jaill*
James Blake
Jay Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard
jj
Karate Coyote
Kid Cudi
The Killers
Liam Finn
Liars
Local Natives
The Low Anthem
Manchester Orchestra
Maps & Atlases (x3)
Matt & Kim (x2)
Metric
MGMT
Miike Snow
My Morning Jacket
The National (x2)
Neon Indian (x2)
The New Pornographers
Nosaj Thing
O.A.R.
of Montreal
OFWGKTA
OK Go
Ozomalti
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Passion Pit (x2)
Pearl Jam
Pete Yorn
Peter Bjorn and John (x2)
Phoenix
Pomegranates
Princeton (x3)
Purity Ring
Ra Ra Riot (x5)
The Raconteurs
The Radio Dept.
Radiohead
Raekwon
Rogue Wave
Sacred Spirits
The Safes*
Sigur Ros
Sleigh Bells
Spoon
stellastarr*
Suckers
Sun Airway
Surfer Blood
The Tallest Man on Earth
Tame Impala
Tegan and Sara (x2)
Tennis
Theophilus London
Toro Y Moi
Two Door Cinema Club
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Vampire Weekend (x2)
The Walkmen
We Barbarians
White Lies
White/Light*
Wilco
William Tyler
Willy Mason
Wolf Parade
Work Drugs
The xx
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Yeti vs. Yeti*
Yo La Tengo

*WNUR Airplay in-studio performance]]> http://www.last.fm/user/lassaucepan/journal/2008/07/12/22cpx1_narrow_stairs%2C_a_review Sat, 12 Jul 2008 05:03:40 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/lassaucepan/journal/2008/07/12/22cpx1_narrow_stairs%2C_a_review Ok so here is my own little review of Death Cab for Cutie's Narrow Stairs...

Overall, I feel like this was a step away from Plans and more towards their older roots. And unlike Plans, which was very much a piece by piece work, Narrow Stairs seems to be more of a complete and flowing album, which I personally enjoyed more. It has been out over a month now and I'm sure I've given it at least fifty listens if not more, and I'm still not sick of it in the slightest, which really shows how impressive it is as an album.

Track by Track...

1) Bixby Canyon Bridge - A very epic song for Death Cab and very different from anything they have ever done. LOVE the drums on this one (though I say they were very disappointing live). I've heard this song is about Jack Keroac, I thought that was interesting. And while i feel like this song is a step in a different direction for the band, they still brought in that characteristic Death Cab sound and imagery. One of my favorites. 9/10

2) I Will Possess Your Heart - When I first heard this as a single, I was convinced for the first four minutes of the song that Death Cab had gone post-rock...and that they were good at it. Then when Ben's vocals came in I realized I had been wrong, but I also realized the genius to the song. The intro to this song part of the story aspect of it, like when you first fall in "love at first sight" and for a while you just watch the person, noticing them, but dont really make a move yet. That's what the beginning of this song is supposed to replicate, and that becomes apparent when you listen to the words in the second half. 8/10

3) No Sunlight - Definately the most upbeat song on the album, at least the music is. The vocals are somewhat sad, and that's the problem with this song for me. The vocals don't really match the song in the mood. For me that made the overall feel of the track a little hazy. Still enjoyable though. 6/10

4) Cath... - To me this song is like the offspring of "Death of an Interior Decorator." It brings the same feeling of a story about marraige, and although the messages aren't exactly the same, the imagery is similar--a tense wedding, where everyone knows nothing is going to turn out how it's supposed to. I love the sound of this song from the first moment to the last. 9.5/10

5) Talking Bird - As the first slow song on the album, it's brilliant. Although I must say, I often find myself skipping over it to get to the faster-pace stuff. Lots of people seem to think this is the weak point of the album, but I disagree. If I'm in the mood, I'd say this is one of Death Cab's strongest slow songs. But it is slow, so I guess it loses some of its commercial appeal. Ben's vocals are simply gorgeous, and I read that they were all kept from one take, which I guess is a first for them. 7/10

6) You Can Do Better Than Me - Eh. This is what I would call the weak point of the album. It reminds me of a Christmas carol, and the lyrics are just that average "pity-me" sort of blah we already hear too much in popular music. 3/10

7) GrapeVine Fires - The subtle into is brilliant and the Death Cab reminds us just how unique and spectacular they are with their lyrics. Amazing imagry, I'm not really sure how this song could get much better. 10/10

8) Your New Twin Sized Bed - They took a comical approach with this one, and it didn't turn out half-bad. I watched an interview with Ben and Nick and they were saying that they wanted to write a song about one of the saddest things they had ever seen, one of them being a woman sitting in the grocery store alone eating a piece of birthday cake, and another being a middle-aged man buying a new twin sized bed. It's a creative way to write a song about being single, and I think they nailed it. The bass and the guitar sound perfect in this song, and my favorite moment on the album comes in at about 2:20 in this song. 9/10

9) Long Division - Very typical Death Cab here. Not really a stand-out track for me, but I enjoy it for the most part. It sounds VERY similar to "We laugh indoors," a bit too much. This one almost feels like a wasted track to me because I already heard almost the exact same song on The Photo Album... 5/10

10) Pity and Fear - The drumming on this song is very interseting I think, it sounds a little like it had African influence...that could just be me though. I like it for the most part, but the ending threw me. I guess when they were recording the tape ended and they decided to keep it that way to set up for the next track. It doesn't bother me now, but the first few times through the album it would always startle me. 7/10

11) The Ice Is Getting Thinner - So sad. This one really pulls on your heart if you really listen and think about it. I don't listen to it that much, but I don't need to. It's a powerful song that will stick with you after only a few listens. Lovely ending to a lovely album. 8/10

Please feel free to comment, agree, disagree, whatever...I would like that :)]]>