Random Things You Should Check Out

The D Man is always looking out for the savvy observer and erudite listener. If that describes you (and since you're here, it just might), go ahead and check out some recent musical touchstones.

• Grizzly Bear's new song (and album, for that matter) is so good that it will make heads explode.
• So what'cha want?  How 'bout the Beasties kicking it live on late night, what with the recent reissue of Check Your Head and a new album in the works and all.
• Mark Kozelak recently said this song was his all-time favorite.  So you should listen.
• Japandroid's new album Post-Nothing spews out catchy, fuzzed-out indie art-punk.  Got it?
• Iron and Wine released Around the Well, a collection of outtakes, b-sides, covers (Postal Service, New Order, The Flaming Lips), and otherwise really good songs.  And Sam Beam is singing for free in Salt Lake City this summer?  Come again?
• Cymbals Eat Guitars keep growing on me, taking some interesting detours from the usual Pavement pushers.
• Can't stop listening to Middle Cyclone from Neko Case with tracks like this and this.
• Bowerbirds "Northern Lights" deserves more than a listen or two.
• Sufjan Stevens could have been called Calvin but instead sang a song about Sofia Coppola.

Classic D Man

The D Man realized today that listening to Grandaddy beats taking a deposition anytime.  The keyboard-driven band from Modesto has recently disbanded and lead singer Jason Lytle has moved on to other things, including some solo work.  The band's ruminations on the alienation of technology and its affect on the environment produced two really great albums, The Sophtware Slump (pun intended) and Sumday.  Enjoy two songs fit for driving this summer: the video for "Now It's On," below, and this fanboy gem that easily catches the essence of "Stray Dog and the Chocolate Shake."

Song of the Week

After Grizzly Bear's sublime 2007 album, Yellow House, The D Man has been eagerly looking forward to the next reincarnation of the band's baroque melodies and haunting indie-orchestration.  "Two Weeks," from the forthcoming Veckatimist (an island off the coast of Massachusetts), suggests it was well worth the wait.  Check out the recent Letterman performance and the fan video set to the famous French film Le Ballon Rouge, which seems to be a perfect setting for the sunny qualities of this brilliant song.  Easily one of the year's best.

TaughtMe

Blake Henderson is a creative force that has released three albums as TaughtMe.  The D Man grew up on the same street as Blake, who used to rip up junior high talent assemblies as he was the only guy in school who could actually shred and sing at the same time.  The D Man also remembers driving Blake down to Boothe Brothers Music on Main Street to check out guitars. We went to McDonald's afterward.  Even then, I knew Blake was much cooler than me. 

The D Man placed several of TaughtMe's records in music stores along High Street in Columbus while attending law school, believing people should listen. (Check out an early favorite "More").  The D Man has followed Blake closely over the years as TaughtMe has had great success touring and making records.  Last summer, TaughtMe even opened for Low, a dream come true for Blake as the long-time indie-staples have been a personal muse.

Enjoy a recent podcast from Chasing the Moon.  Stay tuned for Blake's interview that follows and then read up and buy some music here.

Song of the Week

Phoenix is set to explode in the United States, given their recent performance on Saturday Night Live. Or like many great bands from across the pond (in this case France), they will simply continue to attract a devoted following among in-the-know indie-pop kids. I'm fine either way; in fact, I'd actually prefer to see them in a small club. And since they are better than The Strokes, I can enjoy the smug satisfaction in knowing that only really cool people with great taste listen to one of the most nonchalant but accessible bands today.

Enjoy the recent performance of "1901" from the forthcoming Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. And check out the new video for another great track, "Lisztomania."

Christopher Cross

My sister-in-law recently asked me to name my all-time favorite love songs. That will take some time to think. But ask me to name my five favorite Christopher Cross songs? Now that comes easy.

1. "Sailing." Have opening guitar lines ever instantly transported you to serenity like this? I didn't think so.
2. "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)." Did that rascal Arthur really deserve a song this big and this good? Probably not. And I know, I know: how does a voice like that come from a guy like that? You may call it irony but I prefer to call it true genius.
3. "Think of Laura." I just started to cry. Spontaneous crying.
4. "All Right." I remember driving home one night from my girlfriend's (now my wife's) house and this song suddenly appeared on the radio (well, not exactly suddenly; I was listening to some adult contemporary stuff, hoping for early eighties, right in the sweet spot) and I started singing, hoping, and even believing. Mr. Cross was right. We were gonna make it.
5. "Never Be The Same." The next time you're at the dentist and this beauty comes on . . . well, I hope the drill doesn't drown out the chorus. You will be humming it long after the numbness goes away.

I really do like these songs. Even love may not be too strong a word. And I think the Grammy's actually got it right for once when the voters awarded Christopher Cross' 1980 debut "Album of the Year" over a little known record called Pink Floyd's The Wall. Stay classy Chris. All the best.