I spent these mornings in awful glory, with every bullshit forgotten story about friends and lovers I never want to see. The interstate twists like asphalt vine; The American night I’ve left behind, only to want its fever in my dreams. But don’t go chasing after me.
Tongue tied tightly, the worst is assumed. A morning verse comes lightly, and you bought every excuse. Rumors that run-around will find this empty heart; it’s a gamble, a [ ______ ], a risk from the start.
The chime of polished cutlery; the way the sea spoke to me: there’s no rhyme or sway.
Began working on a new song today; Here’s a verse I’ve been toying around with:
I was a young boy; you were a thief, a savior of some-sort, a cheap Christ sprawled out in sheets. Smoke signals hung around—Bull Durham’s at their best—offering a message of gratitude, a plea for rest.
Please, check out my music. If you like it, feel free to pass it on!
The Tallest Man On Earth — The Wild Hunt [Dead Ocean; 2010].
Often drawing fair comparisons to Bob Dylan, Swedish singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson (The Tallest Man On Earth) has begun a true revival of folk music. Built on a solid foundation of intricate guitar work, gritty vocals, and introspective, often hauntingly poetic verses, The Wild Hunt is a refreshingly truthful record. Digging deep into the vulnerability of a minimalist sound, Kristian Matsson will find recognition many years beyond 2010.
5 out of 5
The Morning Benders — Big Echo [Rough Trade; 2010].
Reverb and guitar-layering aplenty, the Morning Benders’ sophomore attempt Big Echo is an album that guarantees to please. Just when the experimental/dream/pop vein of the indie world seemed to be tapped out (with Grizzly Bear-esque bands on the rise), the Morning Benders prick the collective arm, and breathe new life into a once dead-end track. Big Echo is a lovely dose of indie pop, and coincidentally, the perfect summer soundtrack.
4.5 out of 5
Beach House — Teen Dream [Sub Pop; 2010].
Never have I run into a title more fitting than Beach House’s junior release Teen Dream. Lyrically driven by adolescent angst and heartbreak, Beach House has managed to birth an elegant record, choc-full of melodic complexity and dreamy soundscapes. While it is too early to place bets for “Best Album of 2010,” Teen Dream is a definite contender.
4.7 out of 5
Bright Eyes/Neva Dinova — One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels [Saddle Creek; 2010 reissue].
Six Years have passed since Saddle Creek’s musical giants Bright Eyes and Neva Dinova first collaborated, and with this reissue, four new tracks have been added to the original, remastered six. Since the original release, both Neva Dinova and Bright Eyes have found a sense of musical maturity in their sound. This change is blatantly obvious when comparing the new songs to the old ones. Because of the evolution in their styles, I would have preferred a new EP rather than a failed blend of past versus future.
So is this reissue a blessed musical reunion, or a failed attempt to recapture the honesty of their first venture? While the split may not be “Best Album” material like the aforementioned Teen Dream, One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels is an enjoyable revisit of an indie classic.
3.8 out of 5
