Song of the Day
Each day in 2022, I chose a song. Sometimes it chose me.
Deeper Into Movies
Yo La Tengo
One of those songs that just feels like great 90’s indie rock — but it’s more than that. Taken in the context of their great record I CAN HEAR THE HEART BEATING AS ONE — it’s much more. Just listen to the record — the new 25th anniversary deluxe edition. Just one of 16 main tracks. And that angst, those fuzzy guitars, bass and Georgia’s lead vocals get to me this morning. That guitar solo 3 minutes in? It all makes me feel so nostalgic for 1997. 25 years younger.
Sometimes when I'm staring out my window
Catch the stars and watch as they go by
I've been getting messages from outer space
They spiral like a finger in the sky
Everyday
Yo La Tengo
It was THIS album from 2000 that really blew my mind. And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out is another record that announced the new millennium for me. It got us out of the 90’s and in hindsight feels ahead of it’s time. I love to play it on vinyl, dropping the needle down on SIDE A to hear those beautiful drums and drones.
I want summer’s sad songs, behind me ♥️
Welcome to My Curious Heart
The Orchids
Another perfect song from this great Scottish band. I love the youthful admission in the title — young, curious heart who’s on some kind of mission. The yearning and anticipation is palpable — those guitars and chord progressions, the hushed vocals in the verses. And then the chorus — so specific and sung with conviction.
Someday babe, I’m gonna get what I want.
Someday babe, I’m gonna get what I need.
Here I am.
Pelican Blonde
The Orchids
Another nostalgic tune that captures melancholy and infatuation. What a thrill to be able to use this one in Phoenix, Oregon as Bobby stays up all night drawing his graphic novel, remembering falling in love with Nikki. Love these guitars, bass drums and layered vocals. ❤️
A Kind of Eden
The Orchids
A little slice of pop heaven today — a song more people should know because it’s special. A real love song that’s full of infatuation and joy. A guest vocal, I know but it’s Pauline’s voice that surprises in the spotlight — and carries the choruses too. Hackett’s vocal is buried, but it’s there and helps it all feel 100% Orchids. Love the organ in the mix — and that little classical guitar solo at 2:40 is lovely, memorable. Do you mind if I sit and watch you? ❤️
Long Drawn Sunday Night
The Orchids
A band I’ve loved for a long time — one of those special groups who are totally unique and still together making music. And their records just make me feel good when I play them. This tune is a heartbreaker — the great bass line and guitars and those melancholy vocals from James Hackett. Only a little over two minutes, the gentleness and sweetness of this track kills me every time.
I know there’s a light in my eyes…
Clouds
The Choir
This sprawling song is about doubt and the shadows that veil our eyes. I’m not sure how this band cooked up this fantastic record — but they sure caught lightning in a bottle. It still sounds great and it transcends both genre and the 80’s. To me it sounds like 2022. And this seven minute classic is almost too short for me. I love Hindalong’s drums coursing through the track and Derri’s ringing guitars — especially in the chorus.
Wide-Eyed Wonder
The Choir
One of my favorite songs about being a dad — or specifically having a daughter like Flannery who’s 16 now — but still wide-eyed and learning to live in this world. Like we all are. Even as adults I think living wide-eyed is a great way to be. Staying hopeful, expecting great things. Fearing the worst. Being grateful. Laying waste to cynicism.
I love the heart-on-sleeve lyrics, posted below — the honesty, the sweetness. Beautiful acoustic guitar and lyricon. Love the harmonies in the studio version, and Steve’s drumming too. ❤️
Sad Face
The Choir
This is a band I love and this song is from their terrific record CHASE THE KANGAROO. I love Derri’s guitars in this and the mediative drumming from Steve Hindalong. And it’s true — the ebb and flow of sadness strengthens the heart. In my late teens and early twenties, THE CHOIR was a pivotal band for me who I still listen to decades later. I still find hope in a lot of their music — because most of it is about things I still believe in. Like doubt, pain, love, forgiveness. And hope. The kind of hope that can lay waste to cynicism.
You Have to Be Joking (Autopsy of the Devil’s Brain)
The Flaming Lips
This melancholy tune feels right this evening. I feel disillusioned tonight and I’m not sure why. It’s nothing specific, just a general sense of disillusionment.
Oh my vision is blurred again
This song speaks to it for some reason — the very first song I loved by the Flaming Lips. I knew then they were working entirely on another level. It was before they had a hit with She Don’t Use Jelly. Those absurd, glorious strings at 2:27 are pretty incredible. I remember wanting to use this one in a film, but it never happened.
The Castle
The Flaming Lips
This beautiful track is from 2017 — they just keep making great music. Wayne Coyne strikes me as a happy person — also someone who is most happy when he’s creatively satisfied. That joy comes through in this one — also a great video. From a great record called OCZY MLODY. ❤️
Her face was a fairy tale
Snow
Tracker
I was obsessed with BLANKETS in the 90’s — a graphic novel masterpiece by Craig Thompson — who happened to be a friend of John Askew’s. Ultimately it led to this beautiful collaboration which serves as the third and final record from TRACKER. We had this song SNOW playing softly in the PHOENIX, OREGON coffee shop as Carlos pitched Bobby on his bowling alley/pizzeria. It’s a gorgeous, melancholy instrumental that perfectly captures a cool, bittersweet evening. You can purchase the record on Bandcamp — right from John. BLANKETS: Recordings for the Illustrated Novel by Tracker.
The Swimmer
Tracker
THE SWIMMER has stunning production quality — I love the doubled vocals and also the drums and grinding guitars in the bridge at 1:30. And that pedal steel over the chorus is pure gold. And what about those big crashing cymbals and piano at 2:45 that carries us out? What a track and a pretty incredible arrangement and mix.
Ames
Tracker
Listening to AMES this morning was so invigorating and refreshing. The album holds up so well and is meticulously put together in the studio on reel to reel — with great sounds and atmosphere and catchy riffs and little samples.
I love everything about this little two minute title track and am surprised I never licensed it from him for a film. Something in me probably felt it was off limits because it only belongs on THIS record, the TRACKER debut. I love these guitars and melody — that pedal steel and those big crashing drums and those little phone call snippets.
Mirror
BUELLTON
Sleeper track from SILENT PARTNER. Great recording and mix — with that gorgeous little Beatlesque vocal bridge :50 in. So good.
You’re not as lost as you think you are.
Folks always know who you are.
Grammy’s 97
BUELLTON
What a song that laments the state of the Grammy’s and music biz in ‘97 — a time capsule complete with Boyz II Men and Shania Twain references. But ironically, it morphs into this slow building beauty, escalating into a thunderous celebration of indie rock. And it doesn’t need any more lyrics for the last 3:20 to prove it’s point. ❤️
Bumper Crop
Buellton
Can’t pivot from Buellton just yet, as I’m thinking of this perfect single from their 2nd album SILENT PARTNER. Love this vocal and melody. They actually partnered with Santa Barbara’s Telegraph Brewing Company to release this album on a collectible bottle. Ingenious. And I have to wonder if they’re the only band to ever do this. Download code and track-list on the bottle. I still have the empty on my shelf. ❤️
Dark
Buellton
Hard to move on from this record. After playing it several times yesterday, I played it again this morning. I love the logic of this song — how sadness or doubt or negativity can just take root and pull you down — often for no good reason. When everyone is rooting for you.
The playful guitar and mix is ironic with the heavy lyrics — but there’s wit in these words too. It’s not all dark. And I have to say how much I love how this mix sounds. So much care went into every detail. You really feel every band member on this album and especially in this track. And Jon Nygren’s vocals are so well recorded — I love the way they sit in these mixes.
Don’t you turn your lights out.
It’s the Sun
The Polyphonic Spree
This LARGE band came rushing back to me after playing the ETERNAL SUNSHINE soundtrack yesterday. They have a reckless, joyous FLAMING LIPS spirit to them, and they embrace these big CHOIR sounds, with love and positivity. I was about to choose LIGHT & DAY from the OST but this one edged it out because I was in the sun swimming this afternoon. Another band who makes artful music that spreads hope & light, fending off the darkness.
(A Year Ahead) …and a Light
Richard Buckner
This man is an artist through and through. Just listen to his records — he’s mad genius songwriter and an excellent guitar player. His music transcends genre — don’t even call him alt-country because it doesn’t quite fit. This tune right here is infectious with lyrics that almost feel like an e.e. cummings poem. Love this guy and wish the world (and the music business) made more space for him to work and thrive.