Another Song, Another Mile

A good Sunday evening to everyone out there.  It was quite the eventful weekend here in Ideological Cuddle land, as it was packed wall-to-wall with concerts, sporting events, dinners, even reunions with old friends (glad to have you back, Big Sexy).  Tonight's post is the next in the Cuddle's series of Top 5s and involves some great music and one of our favorite movies.

The Ideological Cuddle Top Five:
     Songs That Should Have Been In Almost Famous
                   (But Would Have Been Anachronistic If They Were)

1. The Black Crowes - "Wiser Time" (Live on VH1 Unplugged, 2008) - This one is easy.  The best "travelling band, being on the road" song of the past 20 years, the Crowes write what they know.  It's easy to see a little bit of the Crowes in the fictitious Stillwater from the movie (especially since Jason Lee seems to channel his inner Chris Robinson throughout the film - in look and demeanor).  I could easily see this tune replacing "Tiny Dancer" in the scene on the bus after Russell takes a bit too much acid at a party in Kansas.  Might not have the sing along power of Elton John's smash hit, but would hammer home the stresses of being in a band, travelling across the country with your best friends who so easily can become enemies.  The acoustic version above highlights the guitar breakdown in the center of the song - the perfect section for the scene mentioned.

2. My Morning Jacket - "Golden" - Another travelling song, this one's not so specific to the band, but still highlights the loneliness of the road.  Jim James' haunting voice propels the song on beautiful acoustic guitar/slide guitar lines.  I can picture Russell, again on the bus, strumming this song to himself as the rest of the band listens in.

3. Wilco - "Monday" - I can picture Jeff Tweedy and the rag-tag group of musicians who have made up Wilco over the years starring in an Almost Famous-type film.  In effect, they've already documented their quasi-demise and subsequent rise in their excellent documentary, I Am Trying To Break Your Heart.  Any music fan, especially those who love Wilco owe it to themselves to check it out.  This song, off of Being There, is a rollicking throwback of a song, documenting life on the run.

4. Blitzen Trapper - "Stolen Shoes and A Rifle" - Total 1970s country-rock throwback.  There's no other way to describe this standout track from Blitzen Trapper's breakthrough Furr record.  Play it for the uninitiated and they'll swear it was written and released sometime in the early 70s.  Maybe not the perfect song for Stillwater to play in the movie, but something that its lead singer, Jeff Bebe would be found listening to.  Lazy vibe, vintage sounds.

5. Drive-By Truckers - "Outfit" (Live and acoustic at Cooley's House, 12/29/03) - OK, this one is almost too perfect.  A definite masterpiece in the Trucker's canon, Jason Isbell's song of fatherly warning is cautionary, yet encouraging.  A father sings to his rock front-man son, telling him not to fuck up the gifts that he's been given.  "Do you want to grow up to paint houses like me?  A trailer in your yard 'till you're 23?  Do you want to feel old after 42 years?  Keep droppin' the hammer and grindin' the gears."  Daddy sets it out nice and plain, while encouraging his son - "Don't sing with a fake British accent, a Southern man tells better jokes" and "Have fun and steer clear of the needle".  One could imagine Russell or Jeff's father singing this to them on the phone after calling home during a bender.

If any of you out there haven't seen Almost Famous, do yourself a favor and go out and grab a copy now.  It's likely the greatest love note to rock and roll that the silver screen has/will ever seen.  Grab a copy, look, 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...

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...