Day 110: By The Edge Of The Wood
This is a first attempt at a musical compilation on this blog, but probably won't be the last. I have posted below a short description of the songs I chose explaining why I may have chosen them - but you may prefer not to be prejudiced by my comments and can elect to go straight to the music.
This collection is titled "By The Edge Of The Wood", and this is where you should go to listen to it. Listening to it at a computer desk gives off completely the wrong effect - so if you don't end up liking it, this will be your fault not mine!
I originally planned to create a wowie zowie selection of crazy new songs you haven't heard before - but realized that since I haven't been listening to much new music, I would be seriously faking it. So instead I have to tried to create a "definitive collection" of foppish music geek pop that I have been listening to these past 2-3 years. So those amongst you who have heard my recent compilations may roll your eyes and slyly comment on repeated songs - and to you I apologize (but not very sincerely). It is a balanced mix of old and new stuff - and hopefully you relish it as much as I.
Let's start at the beginning, move through the middle, and then on to the end! Hang on to your hats.
1. Neutral Milk Hotel - "Song Against Sex"
- taken from "On Avery Island", 1996
If you want to talk indie pop, we'll start with Neutral Milk Hotel. This song shambles along in a cool propulsive manner with lots of jangling noises, weird horns, and odd stream-of-consciousness lyrics. Probably more up-tempo than most songs on here. How do you like it so far?
2. Flaming Lips - "Buggin'"
- taken from "The Soft Bulletin", 1999
Here's a happy glowing mood with The Flaming Lips's lush swirling harmonies. Enjoy a positive vibe while it lasts because as this is my compilation it does turn more depressing later on. I don't know why that is!
3. The Shins - "We Will Become Silhouettes"
- from "Such Great Heights" single, 2003 (cover of "The Postal Service")
Here they are - everyone's favourite indie poster boys - The Shins! A departure in that this is a Postal Service cover and it's faster and far more Shinsy than the original. If you don't own both Shins albums - you should probably just stop listening to this compilation and go get them first - because that's good music.
4. Death Cab For Cutie - "Expo '86"
- taken from "Transatlanticism", 2003
Back in 1986, my brother and I journeyed to Vancouver from Victoria and stayed with my Uncle Jono in Vancouver for a week at the world's fair. My main memories are the cool passport book - I was keen on seeing every country as I recall - and that Tintin was the first cartoon character on the moon. I also remember long lineups. As for this? This is quite simply a catchy pop song.
5. The Libertines - "Don't Look Back Into The Sun"
- single released, 2003
A little heavier than most stuff on here (I think these guys would beat up most of the other bands in a fistfight) - it is irresistably catchy pop. I don't understand why music like this is confined to "The Wedge" just because it's British.
6. Cornershop - "Sleep on the Left Side"
- taken from "When I Was Born for the 7th Time", 1997
This is a nice comfortable vibe from our Punjabi-British friends. Roggles will point out that he has been listening to them for years so I will give credit where credit is due. Well done Roggles!
7. Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - "Some Velvet Morning"
- taken from "Fairytales & Fantasies", 1968
An orchestral psychedelic piece from the sixties, considered a novelty number at the time, but which has aged relatively well. Shoegazers Slowdive did a ponderous cover a few years back. My brother introduced me to this one and is to be commended!
8. Rufus Wainwright - "One Man Guy"
- taken from "Poses", 2001 (cover of Loudon Wainwright III)
Here we see Rufus covering a song by his dad. Did you know his mom sings the "Log Driver's Waltz"? I saw Rufus play last year at the Vogue - and it was a great show - and this was one of the standout numbers. His sister Martha backs him up and also opened for him - and she's great too.
9. The New Pornographers - "The Laws Have Changed"
- taken from Electric Version, 2003
Fuzzy, hook-heavy, and dense - good straightahead pop from our favourite Vancouver indie pop supergroup. When I listen to their "hits", I don't understand why they are not bigger - so I will need someone to explain this to me.
10. Big Star - "September Gurls"
- taken from Radio City, 1974
It is ridiculous that this power-pop gem from Memphis-band Big Star is virtually unknown. Lead singer Alex Chilton was a big influence on the Replacements - who are also virtually unknown for no reason I can think of.
11. Beach Boys - "God Only Knows"
- taken from Pet Sounds, 1966
I really love "Pet Sounds" but I'm betting most of you find it colossally "uncool" - but that's OK - we can agree to disagree. Anyways - this is the one that everyone is talking about when they talk about sweet orchestral pop. A swirling pop song that achieves transcendence through simple heartfelt romantic lyrics and cascading vocals. Lovely.
12. Belle and Sebastian - "The State I Am In"
- taken from "Tigermilk", 1996
I simply couldn't make a "definitive collection" of foppish pop without a song from our precious Glaswegian friends. This is the definitive B&S song - a twee anthem. I saw them live in 2001 - and they put on a wonderful show. They don't believe in encores, so when they leave the stage - that's the end!
13. Of Montreal - "In Dreams I Dance With You"
- taken from "Cherry Peel", 1997
Not actually from la belle province (they are from Athens, GA) - this band is precious enough to punch. Part of the sprawling Elephant 6 collective and not destined for mainstream appeal. I suspect this is a guilty pleasure of mine and look forward to "I don't like this very much" comments.
14. Mountain Goats - "Orange Ball of Love"
- taken from "Zopilote Machine", 1995
Warning: a seriously lo-fi track here - about as sophisticated a recording as my demo tape... I am a sucker for a sweet pop song - and if it's charmingly low-fi all the better.
15. Magnetic Fields - "100,000 Fireflies"
- taken from "The Wayward Bus", 1991
The third in our low-fi pop song trilogy finds New York's Magnetic Fields singing wistfully about their favourite subject: love.
16. Chris Bell - "You and Your Sister"
- taken from "I Am The Cosmos", 1974
Now this is a truly sad song - the message here of failed love is pretty straightforward but deeply moving (to me anyways).
17. Sia - "Sunday"
- taken from "Colour the Small One", 2004
Sent to me from our correspondent in Paris, Tin Foiled. The message of the song "It will be OK" - is I think a good message.
18. Kinks - "Waterloo Sunset"
- taken from "Something Else", 1967
There they are again - those feelings of estrangement, love, beauty, loss, loneliness, and longing. Question: "Snowy, what kind of music do you like best?" Answer: "Stuff like this."
19. The Left Banke - "Walk Away Renee"
- taken from "Walk Away Renee / Pretty Ballerina", 1967
I first heard of this band after B&S covered them during their Vancouver show. Michael Brown wrote this song about the imginary breakup of an imaginary romance with a real girl that he was too afraid to talk to. I can relate.
20. Elliott Smith - "I Didn't Understand"
- taken from "XO", 1998
I shamelessly steal this song from a compilation tape that Gned made me a few years back "Pictures of a Never-Never Land". A sad but beautiful song (I probably could say that for a lot of these). I sometimes overly attach myself emotionally to music - and this is one that certainly has that effect.
21. The Polyphonic Spree - "Light & Day"
- taken from "The Beginning Stages Of...", 2002
This one makes you want to burst out of your chair and seize the day (and possibly join a Texas cult). A good antidote to all the depressing songs that preceded it, I suppose.
22. Television Personalities - "I Know Where Syd Barrett Lives"
- taken from "And Don't The Kids Just Love It", 1980
This is the bonus track. I see Gned and Miss Muppet sipping tea in an English Country Garden, sighing as various woodland animals run past and say hello.
If you liked all the songs on this collection, then you are probably me. Feel free to post friendly or scathing reviews - or better yet - post a rival compilation of better music on your blog.
Have a great day!
This collection is titled "By The Edge Of The Wood", and this is where you should go to listen to it. Listening to it at a computer desk gives off completely the wrong effect - so if you don't end up liking it, this will be your fault not mine!
I originally planned to create a wowie zowie selection of crazy new songs you haven't heard before - but realized that since I haven't been listening to much new music, I would be seriously faking it. So instead I have to tried to create a "definitive collection" of foppish music geek pop that I have been listening to these past 2-3 years. So those amongst you who have heard my recent compilations may roll your eyes and slyly comment on repeated songs - and to you I apologize (but not very sincerely). It is a balanced mix of old and new stuff - and hopefully you relish it as much as I.
Let's start at the beginning, move through the middle, and then on to the end! Hang on to your hats.
1. Neutral Milk Hotel - "Song Against Sex"
- taken from "On Avery Island", 1996
If you want to talk indie pop, we'll start with Neutral Milk Hotel. This song shambles along in a cool propulsive manner with lots of jangling noises, weird horns, and odd stream-of-consciousness lyrics. Probably more up-tempo than most songs on here. How do you like it so far?
2. Flaming Lips - "Buggin'"
- taken from "The Soft Bulletin", 1999
Here's a happy glowing mood with The Flaming Lips's lush swirling harmonies. Enjoy a positive vibe while it lasts because as this is my compilation it does turn more depressing later on. I don't know why that is!
3. The Shins - "We Will Become Silhouettes"
- from "Such Great Heights" single, 2003 (cover of "The Postal Service")
Here they are - everyone's favourite indie poster boys - The Shins! A departure in that this is a Postal Service cover and it's faster and far more Shinsy than the original. If you don't own both Shins albums - you should probably just stop listening to this compilation and go get them first - because that's good music.
4. Death Cab For Cutie - "Expo '86"
- taken from "Transatlanticism", 2003
Back in 1986, my brother and I journeyed to Vancouver from Victoria and stayed with my Uncle Jono in Vancouver for a week at the world's fair. My main memories are the cool passport book - I was keen on seeing every country as I recall - and that Tintin was the first cartoon character on the moon. I also remember long lineups. As for this? This is quite simply a catchy pop song.
5. The Libertines - "Don't Look Back Into The Sun"
- single released, 2003
A little heavier than most stuff on here (I think these guys would beat up most of the other bands in a fistfight) - it is irresistably catchy pop. I don't understand why music like this is confined to "The Wedge" just because it's British.
6. Cornershop - "Sleep on the Left Side"
- taken from "When I Was Born for the 7th Time", 1997
This is a nice comfortable vibe from our Punjabi-British friends. Roggles will point out that he has been listening to them for years so I will give credit where credit is due. Well done Roggles!
7. Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - "Some Velvet Morning"
- taken from "Fairytales & Fantasies", 1968
An orchestral psychedelic piece from the sixties, considered a novelty number at the time, but which has aged relatively well. Shoegazers Slowdive did a ponderous cover a few years back. My brother introduced me to this one and is to be commended!
8. Rufus Wainwright - "One Man Guy"
- taken from "Poses", 2001 (cover of Loudon Wainwright III)
Here we see Rufus covering a song by his dad. Did you know his mom sings the "Log Driver's Waltz"? I saw Rufus play last year at the Vogue - and it was a great show - and this was one of the standout numbers. His sister Martha backs him up and also opened for him - and she's great too.
9. The New Pornographers - "The Laws Have Changed"
- taken from Electric Version, 2003
Fuzzy, hook-heavy, and dense - good straightahead pop from our favourite Vancouver indie pop supergroup. When I listen to their "hits", I don't understand why they are not bigger - so I will need someone to explain this to me.
10. Big Star - "September Gurls"
- taken from Radio City, 1974
It is ridiculous that this power-pop gem from Memphis-band Big Star is virtually unknown. Lead singer Alex Chilton was a big influence on the Replacements - who are also virtually unknown for no reason I can think of.
11. Beach Boys - "God Only Knows"
- taken from Pet Sounds, 1966
I really love "Pet Sounds" but I'm betting most of you find it colossally "uncool" - but that's OK - we can agree to disagree. Anyways - this is the one that everyone is talking about when they talk about sweet orchestral pop. A swirling pop song that achieves transcendence through simple heartfelt romantic lyrics and cascading vocals. Lovely.
12. Belle and Sebastian - "The State I Am In"
- taken from "Tigermilk", 1996
I simply couldn't make a "definitive collection" of foppish pop without a song from our precious Glaswegian friends. This is the definitive B&S song - a twee anthem. I saw them live in 2001 - and they put on a wonderful show. They don't believe in encores, so when they leave the stage - that's the end!
13. Of Montreal - "In Dreams I Dance With You"
- taken from "Cherry Peel", 1997
Not actually from la belle province (they are from Athens, GA) - this band is precious enough to punch. Part of the sprawling Elephant 6 collective and not destined for mainstream appeal. I suspect this is a guilty pleasure of mine and look forward to "I don't like this very much" comments.
14. Mountain Goats - "Orange Ball of Love"
- taken from "Zopilote Machine", 1995
Warning: a seriously lo-fi track here - about as sophisticated a recording as my demo tape... I am a sucker for a sweet pop song - and if it's charmingly low-fi all the better.
15. Magnetic Fields - "100,000 Fireflies"
- taken from "The Wayward Bus", 1991
The third in our low-fi pop song trilogy finds New York's Magnetic Fields singing wistfully about their favourite subject: love.
16. Chris Bell - "You and Your Sister"
- taken from "I Am The Cosmos", 1974
Now this is a truly sad song - the message here of failed love is pretty straightforward but deeply moving (to me anyways).
17. Sia - "Sunday"
- taken from "Colour the Small One", 2004
Sent to me from our correspondent in Paris, Tin Foiled. The message of the song "It will be OK" - is I think a good message.
18. Kinks - "Waterloo Sunset"
- taken from "Something Else", 1967
There they are again - those feelings of estrangement, love, beauty, loss, loneliness, and longing. Question: "Snowy, what kind of music do you like best?" Answer: "Stuff like this."
19. The Left Banke - "Walk Away Renee"
- taken from "Walk Away Renee / Pretty Ballerina", 1967
I first heard of this band after B&S covered them during their Vancouver show. Michael Brown wrote this song about the imginary breakup of an imaginary romance with a real girl that he was too afraid to talk to. I can relate.
20. Elliott Smith - "I Didn't Understand"
- taken from "XO", 1998
I shamelessly steal this song from a compilation tape that Gned made me a few years back "Pictures of a Never-Never Land". A sad but beautiful song (I probably could say that for a lot of these). I sometimes overly attach myself emotionally to music - and this is one that certainly has that effect.
21. The Polyphonic Spree - "Light & Day"
- taken from "The Beginning Stages Of...", 2002
This one makes you want to burst out of your chair and seize the day (and possibly join a Texas cult). A good antidote to all the depressing songs that preceded it, I suppose.
22. Television Personalities - "I Know Where Syd Barrett Lives"
- taken from "And Don't The Kids Just Love It", 1980
This is the bonus track. I see Gned and Miss Muppet sipping tea in an English Country Garden, sighing as various woodland animals run past and say hello.
If you liked all the songs on this collection, then you are probably me. Feel free to post friendly or scathing reviews - or better yet - post a rival compilation of better music on your blog.
Have a great day!
4 Comments:
At 12/17/2004 10:02 AM, Gned the Gnome said…
Snowy, you rule! I will try to download this great-looking compilation later today (Friday).
Sorry that I haven't made my own compilation. It is in progress, but I'm awfully busy with my thesis. As we are returning home in 3 days, you may have to wait until January for me to finish it.
At 12/17/2004 2:38 PM, gkarlsen said…
I've given the list the required 3 listens and there are some good songs. I'll start with what I didn't like:
"I Know Where Syd Barrett Lives"
- blows, hard.
"Some Velvet Morning"
- blah, blah, change pace, crapulence, change pace,
- blah, crap, blah, crap, blah
"In Dreams I Dance with You"
- I don't like this very much
"Song Against Sex"
- I couldn't get past the title
I liked:
"Buggin"
"Expo '86"
"Sleep on the Left Side"
"God only knows" - oh the shame
"Sunday"
"I Don't Understand"
"Reach for the Sun"
The rest fell in the "unremarkable" category. But, if I bought a CD with 7 songs I liked it would be considered a major victory so I say, "GOOD SHOW!" and I'll add the good ones to my playing rototation...
At 12/18/2004 3:16 PM, Tin Foiled said…
Hey, hey. Sunday was supposed to go on MY compilation album!
I am very much looking forward to downloading and listening to these... one day when I'm back under broadband. In the meantime, I have unexpected Internet access over a phone -- hooray for Canada!
At 12/25/2004 7:49 AM, someperson said…
Christmas morning and I'm listening to your compilation in my little hut, by the edge of the woods...
Post a Comment
<< Home