Sometimes Lonely Isn't Sad

It's near year end here at The Cuddle and a time to reflect on all of the bountiful pleasures that 2010 has  brought us.  It's a time to be thankful for all that we have and look forward to all that is yet to come.  Today, we kick off the Ideological Cuddle Top Ten Albums of 2010 countdown with the two albums that didn't quite crack the top 10 (but were very noteworthy none-the-less), the top re-issue(s) of the year, the biggest disappointment of the year, our favorite concerts of the year, and some notable bands that may not have released a new album this year, but rose to the top of our play lists time and time again.
Without further ado...

The Biggest Disappointment of 2010 - The Hold Steady's Heaven Is Whenever

Now, by no means do I think that this is a bad album, per se.  It's just such a colossal disappointment.  Coming off of 2008's triumphant and epic Stay Positive, the Hold Steady were on quite a roll.  They had risen to the forefront of indie rock, had websites, print journalists, and fans drooling over their trademark mix of boozy bar rock and literate lyrics.  Then they felt it necessary to go in a "different direction".
(A quick aside... Is it ever really necessary for a band who does what they do well to "reinvent themselves"?  It's such an overrated, bullshit move, and it's usually pushed by the media - "such and such is in such a rut, they need to reinvent themselves" - B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T.  Bands who are good at one thing should stick with that one thing.  There are only so many Elvis Costellos and David Bowies who can create new sounds with each subsequent album and dip their toes in different genres without sounding completely idiotic.  The Hold Steady should have heeded this.  Ok, now I'm done... back to your regularly scheduled blog post...)
So that different direction is Heaven Is Whenever.  There are a  few gems on this record ("Hurricane J", "The Sweet Part of The City", and "We Can Get Together"), but there are plenty of clunkers ("Soft In The Center"?  "Barely Breathing"? - P.S., don't write songs that remind people of Duncan Sheik - "Rock Problems"?  Yeah, there are problems here).  I hate to say it, but this band REALLY misses Franz Nicolay.  Maybe the magic will return with their next record.  We here at The Cuddle can only hope so, since we love this band and all of its previous albums.

Bands That We Came To Love In 2010 (But Should Have Loved Before) :
Pavement
This is a no-brainer.  No band was on our iPod, computer, CD player, turntable more this year than Pavement.  It's fitting that Pavement made a triumphant return to playing live this year as well (I didn't have the pleasure of seeing them in person, but nyctaper's recordings of their shows made me feel like I was there).  I know that I didn't want to jump on the bandwagon because I thought that there was no way a band could live up to all of the indie hipster hype.  I know now that they do.  They really, really do.  I was wrong and I wholeheartedly admit it.  It all started with the career retrospective Quarantine The Past in March.  By the start of December, I owned every one of their full length albums in some shape or form.  Theirs is a catalogue that I cherish and listen to almost every day.

Teenage Fanclub
OK, I had heard of this band in the past, but had never made an effort to seek out their music until hearing about their 2010 release, Shadows.  It was all down the rabbit hole from there.  Their sound is right in my wheelhouse - jangly guitar pop, catchy as hell, sugary sweet harmonies.  You'll be hearing more about them in the days to come.

The Top 3 Concerts of 2010 :
3. My Morning Jacket - CMAC, Canandiagua, NY - August 28, 2010 - Our second time seeing My Morning Jacket was kind of a birthday performance celebration for us, as Mrs. Cuddle and I had celebrated my 33rd bday the day prior.  The New Pornographers opened the show in fantastic fashion (even in the absence of Neko Case) and Jim James and crew absolutely tore the roof off.  There is no band working today who can match the playing chops of My Morning Jacket and this show proved it.

2. The Black Crowes - Tower Theater, Philadelphia, PA - October 29, 2010 - Mrs. Cuddle and I based an entire weekend in Philadelphia around this concert in celebration of our anniversary.  With this tour being billed as their farewell, there was no way that we were going to miss one of our favorite bands for what could be the last time.  They did not disappoint.  Starting with an acoustic set and closing with a marathon electric set, for 3 hours the Crowes reminded the faithful why they're so beloved.  Their encore seemed hand-picked for Mrs. Cuddle and I - our all-time favorite Crowes song, "Feathers", followed by Mrs. Cuddle's recent favorite, "I Ain't Hiding".  All of the Crowes' shows are available for download (for a nominal fee) from the Crowes' live music site.  I highly recommend this show.  Here's a taste:
The Black Crowes - Tower Theater, Philadelphia, PA - 10/29/10 - "Hotel Illness" (Acoustic)

1. Robyn Hitchcock - The Drake Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada - June 12, 2010 - I already waxed poetic about this show (and showed off the BFF's nifty camera work) on this previous post.  I still can't wrap my brain around the fact that I was able to see one of my favorite artists in such an intimate, acoustic setting.  Hitchcock was perfect from the first notes of "Cynthia Mask" to the final strains of a gorgeous cover of The Grateful Dead's "Candyman".  I can't really say much more than what I've said already.  It was just plain perfect.

The Best Re-Issues of 2010 - The Soft Boys' Can of Bees and Underwater Moonlight
I like to think of The Soft Boys' first two records as "Proto-Hitchcock".  While they contain the essential elements that would make Robyn Hitchcock such a singular and original songwriter, their sound was much more hard-edged and driving.  These records tend to rawk more than Hitchcock records.  Yep Roc's reissues came with download codes giving the buyer a plethora of outtakes, demos, and live versions, making each of the albums great values for the money.  Can of Bees is the lesser known of the two, but is by no means inferior.  It takes true balls (or insanity) to start a debut record with the lyrical couplet "I feel like asking a tree for an autograph/I feel like making love to a photograph", but The Soft Boys do it.  Standouts like "Leppo and The Jooves", "Sandra's Having Her Brain Out", and "The Pigworker" stand with Hitchcock's finest compositions (and are bat-shit crazy, to boot).  Underwater Moonlight gets more of the publicity as a touchstone in the indie rock canon and a favorite of many of indie/college rock's favorite progenitors (such as Peter Buck from R.E.M.).  "I Wanna Destroy You" is a stone-cold classic (and has been covered by the likes of Uncle Tupelo and The Goo Goo Dolls), "Queen of Eyes" is my favorite Soft Boys song (and has continued to persist in Hitchcock's sets to this day), and "Underwater Moonlight" might be the catchiest (and ONLY) song about couples suicide ever written.  Check out a taste of Hitchcock's madness:
The Soft Boys - "The Pigworker" - Can of Bees
The Soft Boys - "Queen of Eyes" - Underwater Moonlight

The Best Albums of 2010 - Honorable Mention :
She & Him - Volume Two - More gorgeousness from M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel, following 2008's Volume One.  Ward and Deschanel managed to pen a timeless single - "Thieves" - which made me recall Papa Cuddle's Roy Orbison records, and was easily one of the 5 best songs I heard all year.  Let's be honest, Zooey could just sing the phonebook and I would rave about it.  There's no such thing as too much Zooey.
Grinderman - Grinderman 2 - As with my comment regarding Ms. Deschanel, there's no such thing as too much Nick Cave (although, sometimes he needs to be taken in small doses).  Grinderman's second record is just as over the top as their first (although it contains nothing as ballsy as "No Pussy Blues").  Grinderman tends to be Nick Cave's id - dirty, debaucherous, lecherous, filthy, funny.  "Heathen Child", "Worm Tamer" (yes, this song is about his woman's prowess with, um... well, you know... and yes, it includes the classic lines, "my baby calls me the Loch Ness Monster/Two great big humps and I'm gone").  It's well worth checking out.

We'll return with the "official" start of our Top 10 countdown in the next few days.  Until then, remember all the great things about the past year, and listen.

The Dew On The Cobwebs Shines Like Gold

My love for everything Robyn Hitchcock is well known.  Autumn is the perfect time to take in his brand of off-kilter psych-folk-rock.  Last week saw the re-release of his classic Soft Boys records Underwater Moonlight and Can of Bees on Yep Rock (purchase them HERE and get 30 BONUS TRACKS) and it's easy to see, from a cursory listen to Underwater Moonlight, where the roots of Hitchcock's muse lies.  His skewed genius is in full effect with classics such as "Queen of Eyes", "I Wanna Destroy You", and "I Got the Hots". 
The tunes below are from The Soft Boy's reunion tour of 2001 :

"Kingdom of Love"
"Queen of Eyes"
"I Wanna Destroy You"

And some bonus Hitchcock - performing two of my favorite tunes (each kind of summing up my recent melancholic mood).  Despite Hitchcock's success with The Soft Boys, The Egyptians, and The Venus 3, he is best heard solo (his guitar skills are underrated and stellar) - here's a taste:

"My Wife and My Dead Wife"
"Autumn Is Your Last Chance"

Until next time, remember that "Autumn Is Your Last Chance" (because it very well might be), and listen...

So Drunk In the August Sun and You're The Kind of Girl I Like

'Sup peoples. Another scorching, sticky hot day here in B-lo. No rain as promised. What does the area need? How about a breeze? The next in the series...

IDEOLOGICAL CUDDLE BREEZY SUMMER MIX 2010
1. Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - "Mondo Bongo" - What could be better than one of music history's most enduring voices backed by gentle acoustic guitars, fiddle, and percussion in a bossa nova vibe. I truly feel that The Mescaleros albums that Strummer made didn't get nearly enough attention. The records celebrate a global sound, blending Caribbean sounds, Aboriginal rhythms, Indian ragas, and street music, all baked together with the crust of Strummer's punk roots. Each of the albums is recommended, but, for the summer vibe, Global A Go-Go is the way to go.
2. Carlos Santana & John McLaughlin - "Naima" - OK, I'm sure many of you out there had no idea that this album existed. Here's the back story - Santana and McLaughlin, two of history's greatest guitarists, and devotees of Sri Chinmoy and his teachings decide to make an album together called Love Devotion Surrender. They decide to lean more toward McLaughlin's jazz roots, but celebrate Santana's furious rock sound as well. The songs are a combination of Coltrane covers ("A Love Supreme" must not be missed; the above song we'll discuss more in a bit), devotional songs, and originals. Upon its initial release, the album pleased critics, but alienated Santana's fans, being too "jazzy" for many. Further inspection over the years has revealed the album to be a genius amalgam of Santana's love of Miles Davis fusion while adding his own touches. While most of the album is loud and electric, "Naima" is quiet, sedate, and an acoustic guitar duet. It is positively beautiful.
3. Gary Louris - "Angelyne (Live, Solo, Acoustic)" - The original version of this song appeared on The Jayhawk's near-perfect 2003 album Rainy Day Music. Louris and his buddies in the oft-imitated, never-duplicated Alt-Country kings came strolling out of the Minneapolis region in the late 80s and put out a string of beautiful albums that touch on country rock, Byrdsian folk, and straight country, presented with Louris and Mark Olson's beautiful harmonies. This track, taken from a solo acoustic performance earlier this year, is a beautiful performance of a true classic. It includes a gorgeous harmonica part and the entire show is worth hunting down from Cuddle favorite, nyctaper.
4. Imperial Teen - "Ivanka" - A perfect example of indie power pop and another great band from the Merge stable, Imperial Teen struck gold with this track from 2002's On. It is the album's lead track and starts with a classic "1, 2, 3, go..." count-up. This is the soundtrack to heading to the beach, head full of ideas of what's to come. Compelling stuff.
5. Robyn Hitchcock - "I'm Only You (live at the Drake Hotel, Toronto, 6/12/10)" - As outlined in a previous post, I was lucky enough to be present at this show, an intimate affair, during which, Hitchcock presented his considerable songwriting and guitar playing talents. The original version of the above track can be found on Fegmania!, one of Hitchock's excellent 80s albums with The Egyptians. "I'm Only You" showcases Hitchcock's guitar skills and is a perfect example of his sometimes bizarre but always affecting lyrics. Just let the ascending/descending guitar line burrow into your brain and let it live there for a while...
6. Neko Case - "In California" - There are so many choices from Neko Case's catalogue that would be appropriate for this mix, but this song seemed to grab me, not just for its gentle pace and powerful vocal, but feeling of reminiscence that it creates. Sometimes summer isn't just fun and games. Sometimes it's tears and loss. What better way to celebrate that element of summer than swimming around in Neko's voice for 3 minutes?
7. The Magnetic Fields - "Come Back From San Francisco" - A short little ditty from The Magnetic Fields' classic 3 disc monster, 69 Love Songs, "Come Back From San Francisco" is a song of longing - the kind of song that Stephin Merritt was born to write. The song is sung by Claudia Gonson, The Fields's drummer, who is able to bring a special touch to the song.

8. The Faces - "Glad & Sorry" - Easily one of the best songs in The Faces catalogue, "Glad & Sorry" is a Ronnie Lane composition, not one of Ron Wood or Rod Stewart's efforts. The gentle piano line is what snags the listener and the lyrics express regret and thanks. The song is breezy and quiet, pushing Stewart to the background, and Lane to the fore. It's been covered many times, most notably by Billy Bragg, Golden Smog, and The Black Crowes.
9. Josh Ritter - "Lark" - One of contemporary music's greatest songwriters and most talented lyricists, Ritter returned to the fold this year with So Runs the World Away, a typically strong set of tunes. "Lark" wouldn't have sounded out of place on a Paul Simon record (such as Rhythm of the Saints or Graceland). "The Curse" might be the album's best track, but it doesn't fit this mix's goal very well (waltzes + mummies NOT breezy summer).

10. She & Him - "Thieves" - Those who know me, know of my love for all things Deschanel (except her marriage to that dweeb, Ben Gibbard). Her collaborations with M. Ward - 2008's Volume One and this year's Volume Two - are studies in throwback 60s AM radio pop, with Deschanel's beautiful, summery voice front and center. Ward's gentle guitar playing and careful arrangements suit her voice perfectly. "Thieves", the clear stand-out on Volume Two, wouldn't have sounded out of place on a Roy Orbison Sun side from the 50s. The song rolls along on a shuffling, classic pop guitar line, augmented by gentle strings and Zooey's beautiful voice. Ward's backing vocals are barely there, but wonderfully furtive. Perfect for swaying along with your favorite girl, watching the sun set.

11. Pavement - "Gold Soundz" - The prototypical breezy Californian indie band with their prototypical breezy summer song. It needs no further introduction, as it's as perfect as indie rock gets.
12. Tallest Man On Earth - "Graceland" - For those who haven't experienced Kristian Matsson's voice, by all means, click on the above link. You'll find two things. First, his voice hits you like a brick - something akin to Dylan circa Nashville Skyline while inhaling helium, his achy croak is an experience unto itself. Two, his stripped down version of the Paul Simon classic opens the listener up to lyrics that may not have grabbed your attention on the original. The mix puts his voice right in your ear, and primes the listener for a close inspection of Simon's prose - here's a news flash, the subject material isn't as sunny as you'd think.

13. The New Pornographers - "Silver Jenny Dollar" - A Dan Bejar-penned song from The Porno's latest piece of power pop perfection, this year's Together, "Silver Jenny Dollar" is the story of a female rocker who is the singer's unattainable love interest (well, I think that's what it's about... can we ever be sure with a Dan Bejar song?). The outstanding feature of this gem is the insistent "Whoa whoa whoa whoa-wa-wa-wa"s that punctuate the chorus behind Bejar's lead vocal. You really can't go wrong with any New Pornographers records - quintessential summer music.
14. Richard Hawley - "Remorse Code" - Ah, Ideological favorite Richard Hawley. Our love for all things Hawley was professed in THIS post from September, 2009. At that time, Truelove's Gutter was released to rave reviews. One of the centerpieces of that album, "Remorse Code", was re-released as the lead single on the False Lights From the Land EP (on 10" vinyl) which was available from Amazon.co.uk as recently as last week (when I picked up my copy), but seems to be sold out now. Secondary market will have to be the way the rest of you pick it up, and it's well worth seeking out. The EP is a collection of songs that revolve around the theme of the sea, with "Remorse Code" spelling out the addiction of the singer's friend in an allegory of being lost in a shipwreck. Heavy subject material, but the 9+ minute epic rolls along on a gentle acoustic guitar line punctuated by Hawley's trademark Gretsch solos. As with all of his best tracks, Hawley's barritone carries the day.
15. George Harrison - "Any Road" - Our favorite Beatle, George Harrison was taken from us much too soon. His post-Beatles output is deeper, more soulful, and more joyful than any of his colleagues. Last year's greatest hits compilation, Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison compiles a generous collection of his best. "Any Road", from Harrison's swan song, 2002's Brainwashed, is a perfect amalgam of what summer is all about - "Any road can take you there"...
16. Camera Obscura - "French Navy" - I know that their subject matter seems unfit for a breezy summer mix (with album titles like My Maudlin Career and Underachievers Please Try Harder and enough songs about lost love to fill any depressive's play list), but Scotland's Camera Obscura, much like their countrymen Teenage Fanclub, are a summer band. "French Navy" is purely addictive summer bliss.
17. Fleet Foxes - "Drops In The River (Live on Daytrotter)" - Fleet Foxes are an easy choice for this mix, as all of their songs evoke a Summer/Fall natural vibe. Their acoustic sound is the perfect soundtrack for sitting on a porch in the hot sun with friends and a cold beverage. "Drops in the River" starts with beautiful harmonies, but explodes with sound after its opening salvo. This Daytrotter session was recorded prior to the band's ascent to indie folk darlings.
18. Wilco - "The Thanks I Get" - A legendary "bonus track" from Sky Blue Sky (and famous for its inclusion in a Volkswagen commercial), "The Thanks I Get" is a swaying, rollicking tune, and typical for Jeff Tweedy's propulsive songwriting. Many Wilco tunes could fit on this mix, but this one feels just right.
19. Blitzen Trapper - "Lady On The Water" - A song that can only be compared to the best of 1970s Laurel Canyon/Neil Young/AM Radio soft rock (and that's a good thing!). A Blitzen Trapper record is always guaranteed to surprise with every track - psych-rock on one, gentle finger-picked country-rock the next.
20. Big Star - "Thirteen" - We have to end this mix with a total classic. Alex Chilton's ode to teenage love is chill-inducing every time I listen to it. It's a perfect way to end a date... or a breezy summer mix.

Until next time, spend some time with friends out in the summer sun, cool off with this breezy mix... and listen.

UPDATE - LINKS REMOVED DUE TO COMPLAINTS... sorry, you'll have to seek these songs out for yourself... trust me, it's worth the work...

Two Mirrors Make Infinity, In the Mirror, You and Me

Oh dear friends, this past week was a legendary one in terms of concert-going at The Cuddle. Two trips to Toronto, two of the greatest concerts this writer has ever been to.

Tuesday, June 8 brought a trip to legendary concert venue, Massey Hall. Loaded with history (it would take a post of its own to discuss the famous concerts staged and live albums recorded at the venue - Live at Massey Hall by Neil Young and All The World's A Stage by Rush are paramount among them), The National staked their claim to that long list emphatically, playing a 90 minute set to a sold-out house of rabid fans. Kicking off their set with the somber High Violet stand-out "Runaway" and closing with the beautifully downcast "About Today" during a second encore, the band held the accumulated masses in rapt attention. Matt Berninger seemed to be turning in a typically restrained performance, but surprised everyone by jumping into the audience for a burning "Abel" and a frenzied "Mr. November". The banter between the band and the audience was a surprise to anyone who had been to a National show in the past, as they typically go about their business in workmanlike fashion without much conversation. The Dessner brothers started things off and Berninger jumped right in to the fold. The highlights of the night, beyond those already mentioned, included a surprise appearance by "The Geese of Beverly Road" and Cuddle favorite, "All The Wine". This band will just continue to get bigger, so catch them while you can. Buffalonians are lucky enough to have their chance on this Friday, June 18, when Berninger and the boys hit the annual Rockin' at the Knox concert in front of the Albright-Knox art museum. You'd be crazy to miss it.

For a beautifully eloquent review of the show (including some beautiful pictures - who knew that Canadians didn't care if you took all the pictures at live concerts that you wanted?), head on over to one of our favorite blogs, Chromewaves, for their comprehensive recap HERE.

Having learned our lesson about the photography rules at Canadian concert venues, we were bound and determined to get some great shots at our second show of the week. Yesterday's jaunt to Toronto brought yours truly along with the BFF to The Drake Hotel's Underground to see legendary British singer-songwriter and indie-rock patriarch, Robyn Hitchcock.

I couldn't have been more excited for this show, as Hitchock has been an obsession for the past two plus years. Add this to the volume of Hitchcock's catalogue, making the possibility of dusty deep cuts from some of his older records a distinct possibility, and excitement was at a fever pitch. We arrived in a section of Toronto that we had not previously been in, to find a classic Urban Hipster neighborhood, dotted with small art galleries and vegan eateries (we chose Fresh, wholly the right choice, as the bean burrito with fresh cilantro, Mediterranean plate, and sweet potato fries with spicy Thai peanut dipping sauce proved). We strolled back down Queen Street West to The Drake Hotel, passing through crowds of nattily dressed clubbers and down a steep stairway to the doors of the Underground. After a chunk of time spent waiting in front of closed doors, we were finally allowed entrance, and walked into a cozy, dimly lit room, dotted with a few folding chairs and soft leather furniture to the outsides of the room. We chose a perfect location - a leather couch perpendicular to the stage - with a perfect view, a mere 10 feet away. It was telling that prominent Canadian songwriter Ron Sexsmith was in attendance - I guess he, too, worships at the altar of Hitchcock.
Hitchcock came to the stage wearing a classic Hitchcock shirt, black with white polka dots, sporting only an acoustic guitar and harmonica, and launched into the BFF's two favorite songs as his first two selections - "Cynthia Mask" and "Queen Elvis". He held the audience in his grasp throughout the set (which was, unfortunately, too short at 90 minutes), playing a set that touched on many corners of his career, even if it was a bit heavy on material from Goodnight Oslo (not that there's anything wrong with that). He concluded his set with three songs "from my record collection" - "All la Glory" by The Band, "The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix, and "Candyman" by the Grateful Dead. I would have wished that the set went on forever, but alas, the Underground had been booked for a DJ set later that night, making a marathon concert an impossibility. I maintain (as I told Mrs. Cuddle this morning) that everyone should be so lucky to see an artist they love in such an intimate, solo acoustic setting from so close.

As previously mentioned, we weren't going to miss out on an opportunity to take some great photos of this show. What follows are some beautiful shots taken by the BFF, along with superb video of Hitchcock's performance of "I'm Only You" :

Yup, he changed his shirt prior to the encore...

Now for the video I promised. Here's "I'm Only You" with some beautiful guitar work (and just as beautiful camera work by the BFF) :

UPDATE - VIDEO HAVING UPLOAD DIFFICULTIES

In addition to the above media, I was fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of a new Torontonian, Johnny, who recently moved to the city from Denver with his family. Couldn't have been a nicer guy and he taped last night's show, Friday night's show, and Saturday's in-store appearance at Sonic Boom. Those tracks should be headed to faithful Cuddle readers soon.

Until that time, be well, and get out and see some shows. You just might attend one that changes your life.

I Knew Then What I Know Now, I Never Loved You, Anyhow

We here at the Ideological Cuddle hope that each one of you is enjoying your Valentine's Weekend. Hopefully, the last post brought some love and warmth into each of your lives with the warm sounds of Coltrane's tenor or Miles' muted trumpet. Today, we switch gears to present the other side of Valentine's Day...

What happens when love goes wrong? What happens when love dies? What happens when we can't find love? What happens when we start thinking that we never will? Perfect... we have songs for that. Too often, songwriters get celebrated for their ability to write lyrics that would accompany a first wedding dance or provide the soundtrack to falling in love. Today, we'll celebrate those who have the uncanny ability to provide the soundtrack to our darker, loveless days - the days when all we can do is cry, wallow, mope, and feel sorry for ourselves. Of course, sometimes, we just want to spit venom at the cause of our misery and curse them in unimaginable ways. We've got that covered as well. For the lovelorn, the love-lost, those who will celebrate tomorrow solo... click on the songs below my comments, courtesy of Lala.com.
(UPDATE - You may have to click the link below the boxes... don't know if all of the songs loaded appropriately)

Elvis Costello

The possibilities here are many and varied, as no one writes a better bitter, overly-verbose, and scathing song of lost love. Many of his best songs are aimed at not only the offending woman's emotions, but her intellect as well (or lack thereof).

His masterpiece, King of America is littered with songs of loss. "Brilliant Mistake" teeters the line between first-person narrative and third-person omniscient observer - just like Dylan's "Tangled Up In Blue". He alternates between "I" and "he" frequently. There doesn't seem to be much in this man's life that was the right choice - everything seems to be a "Brilliant Mistake", including his prospective love interest - of whom Costello famously notes:

"She said that she was working for the ABC News/
It was as much of the alphabet as she knew how to use".

Brilliant Mistake - The Costel...

"Indoor Fireworks", later on the King of America LP gives a snapshot of a love that is hanging by a thread. The opening lines give all the evidence one needs:

"We play these parlor games, we play at make-believe/
When we get to the part where I say that I'm going to leave/
Everybody loves a happy ending but we don't even try/
We go straight past pretending, to the part where everybody loves to cry"

Indoor Fireworks - The Costell...

Lastly from King of America is "Poisoned Rose" - this one's pretty self-explanatory, except that, toward the end of the song, the narrator admits that he just can't get himself to throw away the poisoned rose - he knows how bad this love affair is for him, but he can't give it up.

Poisoned Rose - Elvis Costello

Costello's great torch song, "Almost Blue" sounds like something Sinatra should have recorded for his epic Only the Lonely album, and I think that's exactly what Elvis had in mind when he wrote it. A song of longing the lengths of which Costello would never quite reach again, it's enough to make a grown man cry.

Almost Blue - Elvis Costello &...

We can't discuss Elvis Costello's contributions to the broken-hearted genre without including two last fuck you songs aimed toward women who have wronged him. "I Hope You're Happy Now" exists in many versions besides the "official" version which was released on Blood and Chocolate in 1986 - there are multiple demo versions in multiple tempos, each giving a slightly different bent to the song, but the lyrics stay the same. The singer's relationship with the target of his venom has ended, she's moved on, but he's clearly bitter. Speaking of his ex's new love:
"He's a fine figure of a man and handsome, too/
With his eyes upon the secret places he'd like to undo"
and
"He knows what you want and what you don't allow/
And I hope that you're happy now"
and triumphantly,
"I hope that you're happy now like you're supposed to be/
And I know that this will hurt you more than it hurts me"
But Costello can't leave this relationship alone without getting in a few low blows. First, a dig at the new love interest's "tiny manhood" :
"Like a matador with his pork sword while we all die of laughter"
And finally :
"I knew then what I know now, I never loved you, anyhow"

I Hope You're Happy Now - Elvi...

Last, "Uncomplicated". The sound of the song is as vicious as the lyrics - basically a three minute swipe at how "Uncomplicated" or vapid the ex seems to be. He's clearly angry from the first lines:
"Blood and Chocolate, I hope you're satisfied what you have done/
You think it's over now, but we've only just begun"
It gets meaner from there...

Uncomplicated - Elvis Costello...

Billy Bragg
As noted in one of our previous posts (available here) the politics of the sexes is a favorite topic of Mr. Bragg's. "Valentine's Day Is Over" is a resigned, cautionary song sung from the woman's perspective. Bragg turns the tables in a cautionary tale for any man who dares not treat his partner with the respect that she deserves . It even appears that the man in question has physically injured his love interest:
"If you want to talk about it, well, you know were the phone is/
Don't come 'round reminding me how brittle bone is/
God didn't make you an angel, the Devil made you a man/
That brutality and the economy are related now, I understand/
When will you realize that as above, so below, there is no love"
These lines are enough to make you weep and think about how easily we can hurt those that we love the most - emotionally or tragically, physically - and that, clearly, is Bragg's intent.
Somewhat heroically, the woman will not stand for this treatment. She's getting out, but not without making sure that her assailant has some perspective on his actions:
"Thank you for the things you bought me, thank you for the card/
Thank you for the things you taught me when you hit me hard/
That love between two people must be based on understanding/
Until that's true you'll find your things all stacked out on the landing/
Surprise, surprise, Valentine's Day is over"
Proceed with caution:

Valentine's Day Is Over - Bill...

Morrissey
Ah, the Mozzer. Nothing ever seems to go right in Morrissey's view of love. Almost every one of his songs is about losing love, how lonely he is, or why he's not good enough to be loved by anyone. A dissertation about this topic could likely net you a PhD in mope. Just a few examples:
Stalker Morrissey:
"The More You Ignore Me (The Closer I Get)"

The More You Ignore Me, The Cl...

Self-Loathing Morrissey:
"Let Me Kiss You" :
"Close your eyes and think of someone you physically admire/
And let me kiss you"

Let Me Kiss You - Morrissey

King of Mope Morrissey:
"I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris":
"I have decided I'm throwing my arms around Paris/
Because, only stone and steel accept my love"

I'm Throwing My Arms Around Pa...

Coming-To-Terms Morrissey:
"I Have Forgiven Jesus" :
"I have forgiven Jesus/
For all the desire he placed in me/
When there's nothing I can do with this desire"

I Have Forgiven Jesus - Morris...

Elliott Smith
It's really tough for me to discuss Elliott Smith, as I might miss him more than any other artist who has passed on. It would be easy to re-tread what everyone else has said about him and his music - tortured, forlorn, depressive, etc, etc, etc. I think that his music speaks for itself:
"Between the Bars"

Between The Bars - Elliott Smi...

"Pictures of Me"

Pictures Of Me - Elliott Smith

"Pitseleh"

Pitseleh - Elliott Smith

Bob Dylan
The originator of the fuck you song, Dylan's venom is a thing of historic beauty. Any songwriter who has come after him has taken a cue from him. His most famous anti-Valentine song:
"Positively 4th Street". He recounts all of the reasons that he will no longer give his love to this woman in 4 minutes. It's all angry and full of spite:
"You say I let you down, you know it's not like that/
If you're so hurt, why then don't you show it?/
You say you've lost your faith, but that's not where it's at/
You have no faith to lose, and you know it"

Positively 4th Street (Album V...

PJ Harvey
Time for the woman's perspective. Cut from the songwriting cloth of Bob Dylan, but with a sonic palette straight out of the punk/blues asthetic, Polly Jean is without peer in the pissed-off-woman school of anti-Valentine songs. Many are great, but I would never want to be the target of the spite of "Dry". OK, it doesn't get much more simple than this - PJ basically feels the need to tell her (assumedly) ex-lover, "You don't do it for me sexually any more". How does she do it? Yup, let him know that he doesn't get her wet. It doesn't get more crystal clear than "You leave me dry". Ouch.

Dry - PJ Harvey

Don't think that Polly Jean can't stalk you, either - witness, "Rid of Me":
"You're not rid of me, yeah, you're not rid of me/
I beg you, my darling, don't leave me, I'm hurting"
Then goes on to tell her lover that she'll tie him to her until he screams that he wishes he never met his new love. Double ouch (this time, Polly Jean's not just questioning your manhood, she may just cut it off).

Rid Of Me - PJ Harvey

Last, "Me Jane". A put down song for men everywhere. Two minutes of how men don't know how to deal with women and their menses (yup, you read that right).
"Tarzan, I'm bleeding, stop your fucking screaming" is far and away the best line (maybe of the past 20 years).

Me-Jane - PJ Harvey

Here's a few more of our favorite anti-Valentine's Day songs:
Robyn Hitchcock - "I Used To Say I Love You"

I Used To Say I Love You - Rob...

Tom Waits - "Candy Apple Red"

Candy Apple Red - Tom Waits

Tom Waits - "Bad Liver and a Broken Heart"

Bad Liver And A Broken Heart [...

The Afghan Whigs - "My Curse"

My Curse - The Afghan Whigs

Aimee Mann - "It's Over"

It's Over - Aimee Mann

Beck - "Guess I'm Doing Fine"

Guess I'm Doing Fine - Beck

Camera Obscura - "I Don't Want To See You"

I Don't Want to See You - Came...

Drive-By Truckers - "Goddamn Lonely Love"

Goddamn Lonely Love - Drive-By...

Until next time... if you're lonely, or alone for Valentine's Day, fuck it. Wallow in your sorrow... sometimes it feels good.

The Best Song Will Never Get Sung, The Best Life Never Leaves Your Lungs

Greetings faithful readers (assuming there are any of you)...
As promised, today starts our climb toward The Ideological Cuddle's favorite albums of this decade. The list is varied, very personal, and unlikely to agree with anyone else's list (but hey, isn't that the advantage of having one's own blog?).
Today, we'll highlight some artists who deserve honorable mention, re-releases that were heads and shoulders above the rest, and albums 20 through 16 on our list of favorites. Albums 15 through 11 will be highlighted tomorrow, and albums 10 through 1 will each have their own blog post, as there's plenty to say about each of them. Be sure to click on the links after each album for MP3s of some of my favorite songs.
Without further adieu, here we go...

RE-RELEASES OF THE DECADE:
I guess it would be remiss not to mention the Beatles reissues here, and, I have to admit, I wasn't going to jump in with both feet to the frenzy, but then heard how crisp and fantastic that Abbey Road sounded. I was hearing things that I never noticed before. Paul's bass may have been brought a little too close to the front of the mix, but the sound is unparallelled.

Billy Bragg - Volume I and Volume II - These two boxed sets cover all of Sir Billy's recorded output from his first EP, Life's A Riot with Spy Vs. Spy, through England, Half English. Each of the discs is lovingly remastered with a bonus disc of demos, b-sides, and period-specific rarities. It's the Holy Grail for those of us who have been influenced by Bragg's music. Absolutely Essential.

Robyn Hitchcock - Reissues (including the Luminous Groove and I Wanna Go Backwards box sets) - Yep Roc has done an amazing job of bringing this wonderfully strange and beautiful artist's work to the masses. Covering most of Hitchcock's essential work (we're still waiting for someone to get the rights to his A&M albums so that Globe of Frogs and Queen Elvis can see the light of day again), these CDs shine a bright light on the wondrous art of this singular artist. Often described as a strange amalgam of John Lennon, Syd Barrett, and Bob Dylan, Hitchcock's imagination and craft are on display with these reissues. For the novice, start with I Often Dream of Trains or Eye. Those looking for a little bit more adventure can jump into Fegmania! or the live album Gotta Let This Hen Out! with both feet.

HONORABLE MENTION:
To The Band With the Best Collection of Records This Decade, None of Which Made the Top 20:
The Drive-By Truckers
This band is tremendously consistent. In fact, they are so consistent, it was almost impossible to pick a favorite amongst the 5 original albums, 1 live album, and 1 odds 'n ends collection they released this decade. Decoration Day and The Dirty South might be the front-runners, but Brighter Than Creation's Dark isn't far behind. As was outlined on their own blog post earlier this year, the Truckers focus on true southern life. Their music is raw, emotional, and is chock-full of kick-ass rock 'n roll. Word has it that they'll be releasing their first album of the next decade in March, 2010, having recently signed to ATO Records, so this crew will be getting a jump on the rest of the competition for the next decade.

Drum roll please... into the top 20 albums of this decade (according to The Ideological Cuddle):

NUMBER 20:
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus
A towering achievement in a career that is full of them, Cave's double album concept project never fails to amaze me. There are so many nuances to the songs and the lyrics, that repeated listens are always rewarded. Some feel that Abattoir Blues is the rock 'n roll disc, while The Lyre of Orpheus is the ballad record, but it's not fair to pigeon-hole each of these pieces of art like that. The songs on the set are dripping with menace and malice, lust and horror. "Get Ready For Love" starts the proceedings with fire and brimstone, "Hiding All Away" is just vicious, and "There She Goes, My Beautiful World" might be the most grandiose tune Cave's ever done. "Easy Money" and "O Children" are absolutely heartbreaking (can anyone other than Nick Cave make suicide and murder sound so beautiful?). The companion piece, The Abattoir Blues Tour 2004 is very worthwhile too, if nothing than for the sheer volume of music contained within - 2 CDs and 2 DVDs of Cave and the Bad Seeds doing what they do best.
Abattoir Blues - "There She Goes, My Beautiful World"
The Lyre of Orpheus - "Supernaturally"

NUMBER 19:
Beck - Sea Change
Easily Beck's most mature album, Sea Change is also his "break-up" album. Completely melancholy from top to bottom, but also completely amazing. The songs are beautifully crafted and show that Beck can do so much more than mix beats.
Sea Change - "The Golden Age"

NUMBER 18:
The New Pornographers - Mass Romantic
Indie rock's first super group had quite the decade. It was very difficult choosing a favorite amongst the New Pornographers' 4 offerings over the past 10 years, as each is consistent and varied. When I really broke it down, Mass Romantic won out on the strength of it's Dan Bejar songs "Jackie" and "To Wild Homes". To those not familiar with the Pornographers, all you need to know is that Neko Case, Dan Bejar, and Carl "AC" Newman are three of the most talented indie pop songwriters and singers alive. Put them together, and, many times, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. As others have said, in a fair alternate universe, this album would have charted catchy song after catchy song, making the New Pornographers household names and international superstars. Since this is reality, you'll have to judge for yourself:
Mass Romantic - "Jackie"
Mass Romantic - "The Slow Decent Into Alcoholism"

NUMBER 17:
Wilco - A Ghost Is Born
OK, this might represent this list's first "great upset". Skimming some of the other "Best of the Decade" lists has clearly shown that most choose Yankee Hotel Foxtrot as Wilco's great contribution to this decade. While clearly a phenomenal album, YHF seems to profit from the mythology that surrounds it - you know, Wilco makes amazing record, record company dumps band and record, band leaks record, finds new label and rockets to critical acclaim and international fame. As I thought about the songs on each record, I found that I clearly reached for the songs on A Ghost Is Born more frequently than those on YHF. "Spiders (Kidsmoke)" is over 10 minutes of prog-rock/krautrock heaven, "The Late Greats" is as catchy as Wilco gets, "Hummingbird" is delicate and beautiful, and "At Least That's What You Said" has some of the crunchiest guitar licks ever found on a Wilco record. This album is varied, balanced, and genius. And all without a mythology surrounding it... it's just waiting to be re-discovered.
A Ghost Is Born - "At Least That's What You Said"

NUMBER 16:
Iron and Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days
Quiet and hushed in instrumentation, pastoral and aching in tone, Our Endless Numbered Days brought Sam Beam's unique musical view to the masses (since many didn't pay attention to The Creek Drank the Cradle or The Sea and The Rhythm EP). The album rocketed Iron and Wine to indie stardom and Sam Beam's songs to big movie soundtracks everywhere. Early pressings of the album included a bonus EP which included "Hickory", a gem of a tune that somehow missed the cut for the album proper (it can now be found on the b-sides compilation Around the Well). The details of Beam's lyrics in this tune are what set it apart from its contemporaries - "The money came and she died in her rocking chair/The window wide and the rain in her braided hair" is just one example. Beam would go on to expand the Iron and Wine sound throughout the rest of the decade, but has never quite been able to match the artistic achievement of this record.
Our Endless Numbered Days - "Each Coming Night"

Until tomorrow, with albums 15 through 11, be well, enjoy, and listen...

Heading for Paradise, or Basingstoke, or Reading...

Wow... I haven't exactly been a prolific blogger in the past month. Not exactly what you'd like out of a blog that one would like people to read. It has been almost a full month since my last post, dear readers, but, I guarantee, I haven't been resting on my laurels. For a little insight as to what's been going on in the Cuddle household lately, head on over to Mrs. Cuddle's excellent blog The Crepe Confectionary and look for yours truly dressed as Max from Where the Wild Things Are for All Hallow's Eve...

As for today's thoughts, I had every intention of posting an excellent collection of tunes appropriate for Halloween, but just didn't get the time (maybe next year?). I had then planned (on multiple occasions) to blog about one of many artists who have caught my ear recently, but just kind of hit other snags that prevented me from doing so.
In the past week, I've been reflecting quite a bit. To some extent, it has been reflection on my current state, my place in the grand scheme of things (you know, light stuff). Today has me in a contemplative mood, reassessing what music has helped me through the year.
By no means does this mean that this is going to turn into a "Best of 2009" post. Everyone does one of those (and, to be frank, I have one planned), but it's too early. The place I'd like to start at took place on this past Tuesday at the Phoenix Concert Hall in Toronto, Ontario. This writer had the distinct pleasure of seeing (for the first time live) Billy Bragg. Fifteen long years into my love affair with the man and his music led me to that point, and I couldn't have been more enthralled by his performance. Not only did he sound to be in perfect voice (well, perfect for his pipes, anyway) and in great, fiery guitar form, but his song choices were downright legendary. "Levi Stubb's Tears"? Check. "The Saturday Boy"? Check. "Accident Waiting to Happen"? Check. The ENTIRETY of Life's A Riot with Spy vs. Spy, Billy's debut EP? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? CHECK!!! Two hours of worship at the altar of the Bard from Barking left me wanting for nothing (OK, I would have loved to hear "Greetings To the New Brunette" just so that I could give a shout out to this here blog when the lyric came around, but I digress...). I can't wait to see him again, and I hope that I won't have to wait another 15 years before our next encounter. (Pictures of the event are viewable at Ideological Cuddle's favorite blog - Chromewaves - here).
While standing in awe of the man and his music, I did find myself reflecting on the man himself. Billy's getting older (aren't we all?). He will turn 52 years young this year and, to be honest, is starting to look his age. A small belly is evident, his hair is an elegant gray, and the creases in his face are starting to deepen. This is not to say that he couldn't whip the ass of most musical newbies less than half his age, as the man is full of more heady ideas and music than most artists could dream of possessing. It was just a reminder of the passage of time... and the times that Billy Bragg has been present in my life.
This got me thinking deeper... about the last year, about music in general, about what it means to love something or someone, about family, about friends, about professions... quite the stream of consciousness.
Now, I'm not aiming for this post to be a metaphysical discussion or anything, but what's wrong with a little reflection?
This led me to think about Robyn Hitchcock. I still haven't written an entire post dedicated to the man and his (strange) music, but, as I reflected, I realized that it was only this year that Hitchcock's music entered my life. It opened a virtual treasure trove of new avenues for me and led me to an entire back catalogue that, until this year, I had only a trivial idea existed. The song below is the song I think of most. It fits my current mood perfectly.

So, dear readers, reflect on the year. Reflect on what you have, what you wish for, what you need. Think about how lucky we all are to have loved ones, music, and the things in life that feed our souls. No matter where we're all heading - be it Paradise or Basingstoke or Reading or anywhere else - our thoughts can take us there...

Robyn Hitchcock - "I Often Dream of Trains"

Until next time, friends... Be Well...

You and I Belong in the Same Time and Place

This post comes one day too late, but I think that it's appropriate that I am able to reflect on the events of the past two days before blogging about them. My sister was married yesterday, and I can't imagine a better way to spend time with a large number of people that I love. I held it together pretty well (no crying for this guy - at least, none that anybody saw), but can't be more proud to be a brother-in-law to my sister's soul mate. Seeing them together, seeing my parents having a great time, spending the evening with my lovely wife (we'll celebrate 5 years together in about two weeks)... can't think of anything better.

I had planned a wedding mix of songs for your enjoyment, but it came out as more of a love mix... I don't think that any of these songs are "traditional" love songs, but they all mean something very important to me. I hope you enjoy them, and check out the artists who perform them (if you aren't well-acclimated with their work already). A word on the last song - the live version of "Killer Parties" by The Hold Steady really rings true, and not just in the lyrics and the feel of the song, but in Craig Finn's comments leading into the tune... "There is so much joy in what we do here" - you can feel it in his voice... that's how I felt yesterday...

Robyn Hitchcock - "I Feel Beautiful"

Eels - "My Beloved Monster"

Rhett Miller - "Question"

The National - "Lucky You (Live from Daytrotter)"

Band of Horses - "No One's Gonna Love You"

Leonard Cohen - "Ain't No Cure For Love (Live)"

M. Ward - "Poison Cup"

The Jayhawks - "All the Right Reasons"

Camera Obscura - "The Sweetest Thing"

The Hold Steady - "Killer Parties"

Until next time, be well, love all, and listen...