Daily Tuneage

The yet-unreleased song, You Were a Kindness, from The National....

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:30:24 -0700

The yet-unreleased song, You Were a Kindness, from The National. They performed this as part of their in-studio session with The Current, and I luckily found a version online. (You can download it here: http://drop.io/kqfh2uy) Give it a play, or a dozen. It’s magical.

I was in a fog, I didn’t notice everything
Was coming all apart inside of me
There wasn’t any way for anyone to settle in
You made a slow disaster out of me

There’s a radiant darkness upon us
But I don’t want you to worry
I was careful but nothing is harmless
Baby you’d better hurry

You were a kindness when I was a stranger
But I wouldn’t ask for what I didn’t need
Everything’s weird and we’re always in danger
Why would you shadow somebody like me?

It doesn’t work that way
Wanting not to want you won’t make it so
It doesn’t work that way
Don’t leave me here alone

I’ll do what I can to be a confident wreck
Can’t feel this way forever, I mean
There wasn’t any way for anyone to settle in
You made a slow disaster out of me

There’s a radiant darkness upon us
But I don’t want you to worry
I was careful but nothing is harmless
Baby you’d better hurry

You were a kindness when I was a stranger
But I wouldn’t ask for what I didn’t need
Everything’s weird and we’re always in danger
Why would you shadow somebody like me?

It doesn’t work that way
Wanting not to want you won’t make it so
It doesn’t work that way
Don’t leave me here alone

Lucky You - The National

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:12:01 -0700

Lucky You by The National
Download now or listen on posterous

12 - Lucky You.mp3 (8279 KB)

“You coulda a made a safer bet,

But what you break is what you get.

You wake up in the bed you make,

I think you made a big mistake.

You own me, there’s nothing you can do.

You own me.

You own me,

Lucky you.”

The original version of one of my favorite songs, off “Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers”. Which may just be the best album title EVER.

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The first single off of The Walkmen’s new album, Lisbon,...

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:56:09 -0700

The first single off of The Walkmen’s new album, Lisbon, is this fantastically orchestral track, entitled ‘Stranded’. It’s very quintessential Walkmen, with a rousing horn section and putting Hamilton’s voice to good use. So excited to see them this weekend at Lollapalooza!

Turn the light out, say goodnightNo thinking for a little...

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:32:00 -0700

Turn the light out, say goodnight
No thinking for a little while
Let’s not try to figure out everything at once

Fake Empire, The National

Has been a week or two of all The National, all the time. This is not a complaint, just note that I’ve started to give (and receive) relationship advice by solely quoting their lyrics. This one has come up a few times, and fittingly.

I believe I’ve found my motivational album of the summer....

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:28:59 -0700

I believe I’ve found my motivational album of the summer. (Or at least the band…both The Drums’ eponymous LP and their Summertime EP are equally fantastic, as is this single: I Felt Stupid. Now I’m just feeling stupid for not listening to them before.

Wolf Parade - In The Direction of the Moon

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:47:15 -0700

In The Direction Of The Moon by Wolf Parade
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05 in the direction of the moon.mp3 (13704 KB)

“I am a wall of sand and stone
And you, you’re some kind of ivy I’m trying to hold
As best as I can. As best as I can.
But I’m a disaster, I could not be burning faster.”

Got my hands on the new Wolf Parade. First listen, and this is the song that I envision blasting on my radio while driving too fast with the top down. The lyrics make it even better.

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Oh Stars, how I’ve missed you. Yours was the concert where...

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:07:18 -0700

Oh Stars, how I’ve missed you. Yours was the concert where I chose to stand there even though I DESPERATELY needed to pee because I was afraid I’d miss a moment. Painful, but very wise, choice. YOU ARE THAT GOOD. And with this new album - Five Ghosts - you again make me a very, very happy gal. Can’t wait to see y’all at The Independent in mid-June. Until then, I’ll be rockin’ out to your tuneage, including this one, “Fixed”. (Shh…I’ve heard the rest of the album as well…just as good as you’d expect. Possibly better.)

Sleigh Bells - Tell 'em

Fri, 14 May 2010 17:01:06 -0700

Download now or listen on posterous

01 Tell ‘Em.m4a (6227 KB)

I am totally and 100% taking credit for everyone’s now-obsession with Sleigh Bells. (Even Pitchfork listened.) I mean, look at this! That was back in FEBRUARY, people. Oh, and maybe you missed this but yep, even more Sleigh Bells lurrrvvv in my March Mix. And ok, yes, I know I haven’t yet finished an April Mix (it’s forthcoming…actually, it’s done, I just don’t love it so thought about maybe turning it into an April/May mix but I’m half a mind to just post April even though it’s not my fave and make up for any shortcomings in May) but IT TOO has a Sleigh Bells song on it: Tell ‘Em, which I preview for you here.

I’m not one to usually say “I told you so” but in this case: I TOLD YOU SO. (Buy the entire album…you won’t regret it.)

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I’m counting the days until The National’s new album...

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:32:05 -0700

I’m counting the days until The National’s new album - High Violet - releases. (33. If I counted correctly. Whenever May 11th is.) This first single, Bloodbuzz Ohio, is SUPER catchy and not only because it talks about my home state.

Aaron & Bryce, you’ve done it again. See you in May.

Into the Open - Heartless Bastards

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:25:59 -0700

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04 All This Time.m4a (6178 KB)

Rainy day in Williamsburg. The boy and I had failed in our shopping pursuits, so instead ducked into Sweetwater for a drink or two. This song came on…”Who is this?”, I asked. “We know this band, don’t we?”

We didn’t.

But our trusty iPhones did, and relayed that it was “Into the Open” by Heartless Bastards. We listened to the entire album…I was hooked. Bought it on the spot (thanks, iTunes store for the iPhone!) and it has been on repeat ever since. And makes me think of blustery Brooklyn rainy days and warm restaurants with Prosecco.

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Mo Stars Mo Problems

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:04:56 -0700

Mo Stars Mo Problems (The Notorious B. I. G. Vs. The Xx) by Wait What
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11 mo stars mo problems [the notorious b.i.g. vs. the xx].mp3 (4209 KB)

Wherein some genius posts a mashup of the xx and Biggie. My life just may be complete.

Full album available here: http://www.waitwhatmusic.com/files/notoriousxx.html

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In honor of the groundbreaking, world-shaking, me-squealing news...

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:13:00 -0800

In honor of the groundbreaking, world-shaking, me-squealing news that Band of Horses are playing at SXSW (at STUBBS, no less!), here’s one of my favorite songs from them: The End’s Not Near.

Now pardon me while I jump up & down with the best news I’ve heard all day (read: week. Read: possibly year.)

Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:14:08 -0800

Not sure how I only recently heard about Mumford & Sons - perhaps I was too busy listening to Phoenix and The National on repeat for the past 4 months? - but once discovered, they’re quickly becoming my first 2010 musical obsession. This song - Little Lion Man - is one of my favorites on their album “Sigh No More”, maybe, quite possibly, very likely because of these lyrics. I love when people take responsibility for their stupidity.

But it was not your fault but mine

And it was your heart on the line

I really fucked it up this time,

Didn’t I, my dear?

Little Lion Man by Mumford And Sons
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07 Little Lion Man.mp3 (9641 KB)

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If You Let Me Be Your Anchor - Dawes

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:43:12 -0800

Am late to the game, but am currently obsessed with this entire album (“North Hills” by Dawes.) It’s pretty amazing. Though they’re from California, they ring very North Carolina to me. It’s like the musical equivalent of my past and present coming together.

I want love to stretch its fingers wide

And touch on all our wandering parts.

Come sit by my Californian side
With your Carolina heart.

If You Let Me Be Your Anchor by Dawes
Download now or listen on posterous

10 If You Let Me Be Your Anchor.mp3 (7917 KB)

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Heartbeats - The Knife

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:48:56 -0800

Heartbeats by The Knife
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01 Heartbeats.mp3 (5915 KB)

In my “Best of 2009” mix, I included Jose Gonzalez’s cover of “Heartbeats” (which is nothing less than stellar) but lately, kind of digging the original by The Knife even more.

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Wow. Had completely forgotten about this song. And don’t...

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:02:12 -0800

Wow. Had completely forgotten about this song. And don’t think I ever listened to the words. I always love being reminded that lyrics transcend. Half a world away…yes.

sh:

I had too much to drink / I didn’t think

And I didn’t think of you / I guess that’s all I needed

jakemintz: Andrew Bird - Anonanimal (Live for Pitchfork...

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:52:18 -0800

jakemintz:

Andrew Bird - Anonanimal (Live for Pitchfork TV)

Simply. Amazing. This is why Andrew Bird is one of the best live performers I have ever seen. Watch this, even if you have never heard of him. Please.

earsofthebeholder:

Andrew Bird - Anonanimal (Live for Pitchfork TV)

This is one of the best solo performances I’ve seen in a while. Thanks to Pitchfork for making this happen!

Choosing my favorite songs of 2009 was no easy feat. I spent...

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:57:43 -0800

Choosing my favorite songs of 2009 was no easy feat. I spent hours going through my iTunes, Last.fm, DailyTuneage, and even Tweets seeing what was resonating with me through the course of the year. In a nutshell: I listened to a LOT of music. A LOT, PEOPLE. So much, in fact, that it didn’t all fit onto one CD. (Note: both this and the other mixes fit on a standard 700 mb CD should you be one of those antiquarians who listens to CDs in their car or whatever.) I took a first stab at this at the end of November, writing down the songs that meant the most to me. Then later put it into an iTunes playlist, listening to it repeatedly, swapping out songs, changing the order, and listening again, so by the time I posted it, I was almost a little sick of my own taste in music. (But just a little.) And as I mentioned in my other post, I didn’t limit myself to songs just released in 2009; instead, chose the tunes that I loved the most during the past year. (Don’t worry, I’ll cover my favorite albums of the year in yet another music-related post.) The songs that made it onto “Outside Under Broken Leaves” tended to be more personal, and as such, a lot of them were on the slower side. Melodious. Ethereal. They just seemed to fit my mood for this year, or at least my mood now as I’m looking back on the last year.

But there were more songs…many more songs that played a role in shaping my personal soundtrack of 2009. (No, I didn’t just sit around weeping quietly into my journal, as the other mix may suggest.) I did my share of rocking out, and this mix - which I’m calling “Lost and Found: B-Sides from Aubs’ Best of 2009” - reflects that.

It’s all about the balance. The fast and the slow, the give and the take, the push and the pull. Hopefully this mix serves as a compliment to my Best of 2009, and also to your own musical journeys.

Download “Lost and Found: B-Sides from Aubs’ best of 2009”

1. There Goes The Fear - Doves
2. Saints - Army Navy
3. It’s About Time - Barcelona
4. Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5. Pursuit of Happiness - Kid Cudi (featuring MGMT & Ratatat)
6. All We Want, Baby, Is Everything - Handsome Furs
7. Please Visit Your National Parks - Oxford Collapse
8. See You - Dinosaur Jr.
9. Hi-Fi Goon - Throw Me the Statue
10. Lost & Found - Phoenix
11. Oh My God, Whatever, Etc. - Ryan Adams
12. Anonanimal - Andrew Bird
13. Crystalised - The xx
14. Blindness - Metric
15. Blue Skies - Noah and the Whale
16. Island, IS - Volcano Choir
17. Lose You - Pete Yorn
18. I And Love And You - The Avett Brothers
19. Your Love (live) - Bon Iver

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Every year has its own soundtrack; music and lyrics evoking...

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:53:00 -0800

Every year has its own soundtrack; music and lyrics evoking memories from the many moments that made up the past days and weeks and months. And as in years past, I’ve compiled the songs that meant so much to me this year.

2009, for me, was a year in contrasts. So many unbelievable highs shared time with some painful, seemingly unfathomable lows. And this year’s soundtrack reflects that; you’ll hear the songs I put on while dancing around the house excited about the night ahead and the ones that I found myself weeping quietly to while on a plane. But that’s life; the flip sides of the same coin. Sorrow and joy. It’s what makes living exhilarating and real and a constant struggle and a constant delight.

“When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find that it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” – Khalil Gibran, “The Prophet”

And so this year, I’ve chosen not to just list the songs and provide background on the band, but give you a glimpse into why these songs found a place on this list, a place in my heart, a place in the personal time capsule of my own 2009. Most – but not all – were released this year; I thought it was more important to provide an accurate soundtrack of what I was listening to instead of being constrained by the release date. I wanted to paint an authentic portrait of the last (almost) 365 days so I’ve shared the memories I had associated with each of the songs. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have to put it together.

Download “Outside Under Broken Leaves: Best of 2009”

1. Rome – Phoenix
Mid-September. The Warfield Theatre, San Francisco. Standing next to my favorite person, listening to my favorite band. The stage lights dimmed, and Thomas Mars asks the crowd to clap along, then suddenly, quietly, he sings: “I stand outside under broken leaves.” The crowd joins in. “I know I can’t do without, the future’s drowned away. I never loved you, if I loved you, wouldn’t say that I’m sorry, oh no. I stand outside under broken leaves.”

2. Fables – The Dodos
July. Happy. This song is cheery and poppy and never fails to put a smile on my face. At 2:46, I develop a crush on it; by 3:33, I’m firmly in lust. “Remember when you were my accomplice, now we forget why we started this.”

3. Rich Doors – New Villager
January. Quiet month, so this was a good distraction. Driving to work in the morning, I listen to Sirius XMU; heard about this San Francisco-based band (by way of Brooklyn) and after just one listen, went and downloaded it immediately. I have a good feeling about these guys.

4. Bad Romance – Lady Gaga
December. Ok, I admit it. This is the one I dance around my room to. A LOT. I wasn’t originally a fan – I mean, the video alone is weird, and I have to (embarrassingly) admit that I first heard it in its entirety on Gossip Girl (SHUT UP, I KNOW) and her weird, sinister-sounding jibberish of “Ra Ra, aah aah aah, Ro ma, Ro ma ma, Ga Ga, Ooh la la” is plain just odd. But the chorus…damn that chorus. It’s grammatically incorrect – “You and me can write a bad romance “ – and certainly not mind-blowingly deep prose, but it’s catchy as all hell. This is an empowering, roll down the windows, crank up the stereo sort of song.

5. Airplanes – Local Natives
July. I initially fell in love with this song after hearing the percussion and the use of the violin over the guitars. Listened to it incessantly that month, then it kind of fell off of my radar, until last week I was driving in a car just a few blocks, sitting at a stop light, and listened to the lyrics again. “I love it all, so much I call, I want you back, back, back. You back.” Yep, I love it all.

6. Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap
October. It’s only fitting that this song is also on the “500 Days of Summer” soundtrack since it was the movie that affected me most this year. “A moment, a love. A dream, aloud. A kiss. A cry. Our rights. Our wrongs. “

7. About Today (Live) – The National
October. November. December. On a plane, yet again. Going somewhere. Back east? Heading home to San Francisco? I listened to this song so often this latter half of the year that the memories are muddled. Of any song on the list, this one gets under my skin, makes my soul ache, in its simple words. “You just walked away. And I just watched you. What could I say? How close am I to losing you?”

8. Fog – Mason Proper
March. Another song that I listened to earlier in the year but rediscovered recently. Somehow music just comes into your life when you need it most, when it fits best. “I tried to warn you, but you were out of your head, I tried to hold you back. I’ll meet you in the fog, again. And between you and I, we can, make some sense of this.” Reminds me that the story isn’t over yet.

9. Blood – The Middle East
November. Reminiscent of Midlake a bit, the lyrics sound like they should be from an Antlers song, but these Australians have created something that rings like a lullaby to me.

10. Shelter – The xx
October. Unexpected night, unexpected events. This song playing in the wee hours of the morning, in a huge four-poster bed at a Victorian mansion bed & breakfast we had recently discovered. This album is the soundtrack of seduction. “I find shelter, in this way. Undercover, hideaway.”

11. Kettering – The Antlers
October. Was a hot month in San Francisco, but I never felt warm. And this song fit. This Brooklyn-based band’s morose album silently wove my way into my heart. The lyrics are morbid, but the song itself gets under your skin.

12. Slow Life – Grizzly Bear
October. If I didn’t love Alexandra Patsavas – the music supervisor who worked on this album – I’d be reticent to admit that this comes from the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack. But that woman has phenomenal taste in music, and Victoria Legrand’s ethereal voice is haunting on this track. It’s like a breath of fresh air from the chaos that is life. “Even though you’re the only one I see, if you ask I’ll cut you free.”

13. Fun Stuff – Frightened Rabbit
October. This is about learning to be alone. Moving on. Letting go while feeling a sense of loss. “The Fun Stuff is much less fun without you.”

14. A Brief History of Love – The Big Pink
September. I love when songs are appropriately named, and this one is no exception. Love is fleeting. But worth it. “Let’s get lost and feel warm tonight, hit by another and the feeling is right. It’s all over tonight. As you leave me. It’s up to you to lend me your heart but you won’t let it go. And as you leave me, you’re in my heart I feel true love, and it won’t let go. It’s up to you mend my heart, please don’t let go.”

15. Left and Leaving – The Weakerthans
December. I almost called this mix “Left and Leaving”, because sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s left and who’s leaving. This year I experienced a lot of both. Putting faith in coming back home. “I wait in 4/4 time, count yellow highway lines, that you’re relying on to lead you home.”

16. Heartbeats – Jose Gonzalez
December. This cover of The Knife’s song is a last-minute entry into the mix, but it didn’t feel complete until it was added. It’s ethereal and sweet and sad and honest. “One night to be confused. One night to speed up truth. We had a promise made. Four hands, and then away. Both under influence. We had divine sense to know what to say.”

17. Let Down – Radiohead
June. It has been a year of transit. Comings and goings. Seemed fitting to end this mix, this year, with a song that reflects this. “Transport, motorways and tramlines, starting and then stopping, taking off and landing. The emptiest of feelings.”

I can’t imagine the last twelve months without these songs accompanying me on all of my journeys. May they also go with you on yours.

Happy Holidays, everyone.

*As with last year, the artwork was created by Ryan McManus, whose musical taste also rocks. And as always, please support these and other artists by buying their albums on iTunes, Amazon, or eMusic.

* Best of 2008
* B-Sides: Best of 2008
* Best of 2007

My Favorite Year - Destroyer

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:26:47 -0800

My Favorite Year by Destroyer
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18 My Favorite Year.mp3 (9163 KB)

“It was a good year, It was a very good year. And now it’s gone. They say the whole point of everything’s the moving on.”

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