“You pray for rain, I pray for blindness.”

Arcade Fire – “Crown of Love” from Funeral (2004)
Arcade Fire’s Funeral is the kind of album I want my not-yet-born kids to find on my shelves in like 30 years and realize that their dad used to be a pretty cool guy.
This song is so damned beautiful.  It screams with angst and then redemption.  It [...]

Robert Johnson, the Rolling Stones, and burning out

Robert Johnson – “Love In Vain Blues” and “Stop Breakin’ Down Blues” from The Complete Recordings (1990) [originally recorded 1936]
The Rolling Stones – “Love In Vain” from Let It Bleed (1969) and “Stop Breaking Down” from Exile On Main Street (1972)
Most serious fans of classic rock surely know the myth of Robert Johnson–another musician whose [...]

“I am not one half of the problem”

Pavement – “Zurich Is Stained” from Slanted & Enchanted (1992)
I bought a lap steel guitar a while back and was discouraged in learning it.
However, I was encouraged in listening to this kick-ass Pavement tune with its utterly lost but somehow beautiful slide line.
I know there are Pavement re-issues coming out of the woodwork these days, [...]

On John Coltrane and “Burning Out”

John Coltrane -”India” from The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings (1997)
John Coltrane – “Jupiter” from Interstellar Space (1972)
I’ve wanted to do a post on John Coltrane for a while now, and given our recent discussions of “Burning out vs. fading away,” I figured now was as good a time as any (Coltrane died at age [...]

“If you had your way, I’d have a lobotomy”

The Exploding Hearts – “Sleeping Aides & Razorblades” from Guitar Romantic [2003]
Next up in the “Burned Out, Didn’t Fade Away” series is Portland power-pop punk band, the Exploding Hearts. After releasing a 28-minute debut album that sounded like a lost classic from London, circa 1977, the Hearts quickly gained notoriety and garnered notices from taste-making [...]

“You and me, baby”

Harry Nilsson – “Love Story” from Nilsson Sings Newman (1970) and “Gotta Get Up” from Nilsson Schmilsson (1971)
Harry Nilsson was one of the greatest songwriters of the 1970s.  Moreover, he was, in my opinion, one of the finest vocalists in the last half decade of popular music.  He was melodically innovative and always precise.  His [...]

“She made me feel unwanted”

Gram Parsons and the International Submarine Band – “Millers Cave” from Safe at Home [1968]
If you need proof that Gram Parsons invented country rock, look no further than this Cowboy Jack Clement cover from GP’s one and only LP with the ISB. Indeed, the whole album has a killer shuffle that never breaks down [...]

“He was drunk and exhausted, but he was critically acclaimed and respected”

The Hold Steady – “Stuck Between Stations” from Boys And Girls In America (2006)
Okkervil River – “John Allyn Smith Sails” from The Stage Names (2007)
The Beach Boys – “Sloop John B” from Pet Sounds (1966)
With the release of Nick Cave’s “We Call Upon The Author,” indie rock seems to have reached a fever pitch of [...]