Song of the Week

The new track "Lucky Now" could be a reference to Ryan Adams' newfound peace alongside Mandy Moore, Mrs. D Man's favorite celebrity wife. Who knows? But one thing is certain: Adams has penned so many great, imminently listenable country rock songs, it is difficult to deny the talent stoked from his creative embers. He releases Ashes & Fire in October, his first proper album since 2007's Easy Tiger. Enjoy.

Song of the Week

The D Man recently mentioned Bon Iver's epoch "Holocene." Well, now follows the appropriately epic video. With the backdrop of Iceland as a formidable walking companion, the video follows a boy on a grand, solitary adventure. Walking stick in hand, the boy traverses plains, hills, fjords, glaciers, and lava fields. He skips rocks. He climbs. He listens. During his ultimate triumph, amid the song's icy wistfulness, not even the northern sun can prevent shivers up the spine.

Five Things

(Justin Vernon is Bon Iver)

The D Man's always enjoys the next several months. As for the music, most albums just sound better this time of year. Happy listening.

• Bon Iver's epoch (pun intended) "Holocene" is profoundly moving. Enjoy a fan's take on a video with stop-motion animation.
• The National held a fan contest for the song "Exile Vilify." This is the most depressing sock puppet on the planet.
• Hopefully you caught Radiohead perform King of Limbs live on In The Basement. (Check your listings on Palladia, I've seen some reruns floating around). Enjoy "Seperator." In September, the band kicks off the season premiere of Saturday Night Live too.
• Kanye and Jay-Z capture the tag-team belt on new album Watch the Throne. Check out the Spike Jonze video for "Otis." There are several excellent boasts ("I write my curses in cursive"), several references to driving a Benz, and several skinny couture white chicks. Everyone seems to be having a good time.
• Fountains of Wayne never do harm. And they recently released Sky Full of Holes. Check out "Someone's Going to Break Your Heart."

Song of the Week

Hang on to summer as long as you can. August (and everything after) comes plenty soon. Brooklyn dream-poppers Pains of Being Pure and Heart understand this bittersweet truth. On the video for "The Body," the band members, stuck in the throes of real life, ruminate on their younger selves and the glory of summer. Endless, endless summer.