Category Archives: Music

Today I am sharing new music by The Lumineers.  Mark my words, you are going to be sick of this song soon, because it is going to be huge.  Their album is dropping April 3, 2012.  For those of you in Bama, they’ll also be at the Hangout Festival this year.  Trust me, HUGE.

Don’t know what it is, but the last few books I’ve read have been terrific.  Right now I’m reading J.G. Faherty’s Cemetery Club.  (I’d tell you where to buy it, but it’s not out yet.  Benefits of being a published author.)  I’m about half way through and already can tell that it’s going to get a high rating.  Still not sure exactly what is going on (which is a good thing), but the characters are great.

On a different note, the Grammy’s were actually quite good this year, putting aside the whole exorcism thing.  I would have liked to see the Civil Wars perform an entire song, but the return of Adele was worth the price of admission.  Hopefully, her success will remind people that true greatness is not born of flashy performances or attempts to out extreme each other, but rather lyrics that connect with the listener and talent that almost makes you not care what they are.

In celebration of the Grammy’s, below is one of my favorite Civil Wars songs.  Lady Antebellum couldn’t sound this good in their dreams.

Hey guys.  I know I’ve been neglecting you.  This new job allows little time for anything other than working.  Then when I get home I have to do things like get my next book ready to go.  Thus, the website suffers.  Consider this a peace offering.  Here is Lera Lynn covering TV on the Radio’s Wolf Like Me.  And it is FANTASTIC.

Lovely.

No one can sing like the incomparable Adele, but that doesn’t stop people from trying.  Below are two covers of “Rolling in the Deep.”  The first is a FANTASTIC rendition by some of our deployed soldiers deployed.  And wow can they sing.  The second is a compilation of covers from around the world.  Some good, some . . . not.  Enjoy!  Oh, what does this have to do with the primary?  Nothing, actually.

This is FANTASTIC.

Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People is probably the most overrated song of the last year.  But the Miracles of Modern Science cover of Pumped Up Kicks?  Now that’s something Pitchfork can get behind!  Actually, they’d probably hate it, just like they hate everything that is good and decent.  But I like it, and here it is.  Enjoy!

One of my favorite songs from 2011.  Enjoy!

Album of the year is one of those things everyone has an opinion on and seldom are two opinions the same.  I just cheat–I always have four or five favorites.  The Head and the Heart’s self-titled debut album is one of those favorites.  I’d wax poetic about their Seattle roots or the way they incorporate animal sounds into their songs, but instead I’ll just play you my favorite song from the album, “Down in the Valley.”

If somehow you have missed out on the phenomenon that is The Avett Brothers, consider yourself educated.  I and Love and You is the eponymous first track from their major label debut.  Pitchfork hated the album, which usually means it’s not to be missed.  I love this song and own the album on vinyl.  I recommend it to anyone that likes good music with heartfelt lyrics and a folky twang.

My efforts to broaden your musical horizons continues.  I give you that most indie of independents, Bon Iver performing Skinny Love.

As a writer myself, I love a song that tells a story.  There may be none that does so better than this one, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.  Enjoy, and let me know what’s your favorite story song in the comments.

Be there or be square.  http://turntable.fm/folking_indie