Author Archives

by

Song of the Day #1,690: ‘The Suburbs’ – Arcade Fire

suburbsI’ve done two full-album series on the blog — for Ben Folds Five’s debut album and Frank Sinatra’s Watertown — and I’ve wanted to try it again for awhile.

The challenge is finding an album worthy of the attention that I haven’t already picked clean through other Song of the Day posts. Paul Simon’s Graceland, for example, is certainly worthy of the treatment but I’ve posted more than half of its tracks individually over the years.

And I take this no-repeat thing seriously. It’s my one and only rule.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #1,689: ‘Domesticated Lovers’ – Josh Rouse

countrymousecityhouseHere’s a cute little ditty from Josh Rouse’s 2007 album Country Mouse, City House. That record marked the end of era for Rouse… it was the end of his acoustic folk pop sound. His next album, 2010’s El Turista, was performed half in Spanish and entirely in a world music style.

Basically, he transformed from Paul Simon of the 70s to Paul Simon of the 90s, but without the same excellent results.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #1,688: ‘Silent House’ – Dixie Chicks

dixieThe other day I was thinking about R.E.M. — that one could argue they called it quits about five albums too late. Certainly they released some worthy music in the post-Bill Berry years, but nothing that stands up to their best work.

I was reminded of that thought when this Dixie Chicks song popped up as today’s random selection. I don’t know if the Chicks have officially called it quits (Wikipedia suggests they haven’t) but their last album, Taking the Long Way, was released seven years ago and counting.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #1,687: ‘Stay’ – Rihanna

rihanna_stayFour years ago Rihanna missed the Grammys ceremony because she had been brutally assaulted by then-boyfriend Chris Brown just hours before it started. This year she was seated next to him, cuddling like newlyweds.

That’s likely the image of Rihanna that will stay with people following this year’s show — the mixture of anger, pity and disgust it evokes is just too powerful to overcome.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #1,686: ‘The A Team’ – Ed Sheeran

ed_sheeranEd Sheeran was somewhat on my radar prior to the Grammys, thanks to my niece, who played this song for me on her laptop a few months ago.

But it was nice to be reminded of it during Sheeran’s lovely acoustic performance of the track alongside Elton John last week.

Sheeran looks like a fat Weasley brother but he has an appealing, whispery voice that suits this material perfectly.

Continue reading →