Bright Eyes {A.K.A. The "Show Some Love" Post}

Okay, so obviously it's far too late for me to introduce the thoughtful and incomparably beautiful Bright Eyes to any of you music fans out there. I'm not delusional, odds are if you listen to music you heard of Bright Eyes years ago. Which is fine by me because - if you hadn't caught on yet - I absolutely fucking adore Bright Eyes, I really, truly do. As far as I am concerned, Bright Eyes is pure poetry set to music. Gorgeous, and heart breakingly so.
I am not expecting to tell you anything you don't already know, or play for you anything you haven't already heard. This post is about reflection and appreciation. About nostalgia, and what we once were, and what we've become. Throughout the past few years many things have changed in my life: my family, my friends, my loves, my interests and appearance and the way I see the world, all of these things have shifted radically, but my music has always been a constant. My favorite songs can't hurt me, my songs cannot die, my songs will not grow up and change to the point that I have nothing in common with them. They are never a disappointment, and their beauty never fades. Musical notes dangle from my heartstrings; I feel most alive with the heavy thud of bass pounding in my chest.
The music of Bright Eyes has had a particularly strong impact on me, being my first window into the world of indie music I am so delighted to inhabit today. Even now, Conor Oberst's voice is capable of bringing me to tears both of joy and sadness. I was introduced to Bright Eyes at the beginning of high school by a close friend at the time and, I must admit, at first I was definitely not impressed. Luckily, my friend had much better taste than I did at that time and wasn't dissuaded. A few listens later I began to realize that my judgment had been superficial and uneducated, the error of my ways became clear. The well thought out, dark, and eloquent prose that Conor Oberst calls lyrics are always delivered convincingly and the emotion of them is conveyed effortlessly by his perfectly flawed voice. The music is often more of an experiment than anything else, a consistently fascinating combination of instruments, computers, and obscure background noise.
Now, go on about your day, but try to take a little time to love your music and appreciate everything it does for you. Be Grateful For This Day. :)



No Lies, Just Love by Bright Eyes
Ship In A Bottle by Bright Eyes
The Trees Get Wheeled Away by Bright Eyes
Take It Easy (Love Nothing) by Bright Eyes
Devil Town by Bright Eyes

Bishop Allen

I, like many others I'm sure, first heard of the band Bishop Allen via the soundtrack for the movie Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. While the entire soundtrack was amazing, one of the songs that I took special notice of Bishop Allen's Middle Management. Middle Management is a perfect example of Bishop Allen's fun, bouncy style, the bastard child of indie rock and pop punk. Their music may not change your life but, if you're looking for a something catchy to bop around town to, then I'd dare say that Bishop Allen is the band for you.

Personal Favorites: Little Black Ache; Click, Click, Click; Busted Heart
Rating: [******* ] 7/10 Stars
Care to Have a Listen?

The Avett Brothers

Today I have another great love to share with you. Indie-Folk/Alt-Country is a bit obscure as far as musical labels and genres go, but I must confess this narrow and incredibly specific category of music has become the closest to my heart. This revelation took me, and those who know and share my extreme distaste for your average garden-variety (farm-variety?) country music, by surprise but I've come to embrace this unlikely love I've found - in great part due to The Avett Brothers. They're a small group of country boys, and that's exactly what they sound like. Ranging from soft, acoustic ballads to the loud and aggressive sounds of banjo-punk, (a term which I made up just now, but really is quite fitting) The Avett Brothers excel at crossing genre lines and fearlessly experimenting with their voices and an array of instruments, while always maintaining the feeling of genuine, oftentimes heartbreaking, emotion.

Personal Favorites: Salvation Song, The Weight of Lies, Colorshow
Rating: [**********] 10/10 Stars
Care To Have A Listen?

Song Spotlight: White Winter Hymnal

Today, dear Internet, I have something special for you. In the spirit of the fast approaching holidays, I would like to spotlight a specific song which I feel captures the essence of the season beautifully; White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes. Although it may be a stretch to call this song "festive" it it, a the very least, wintry in the most wonderful way. I've gotten into the habit of listening to this song on my way to work, where I'm forced to act cheerful while enduring hours of mainstream Christmas music and nit picky housewives. This frosty little number goes a long way towards getting me in the mood to sell awful holiday sweaters and deal with those who purchase them. And for that I am thankful. Hailing from Seattle and a part of the generally lovable Sub Pop family, Fleet Foxes creates music that is crisp and clear, reminiscent of a morning on the snowy mountaintop their lyrical imagery alludes to. Close your eyes, take a listen and see where it takes you.

Andrew Bird

I just have time for a quick recommendation day before it's off to work, and today's artist is another personal favorite. Andrew Bird is a dark and intelligent lyricist with an affinity for orchestral instruments and sweeping crescendos. The main theme here is elegance, soaring from simple guitar riffs to complex multi-instrumental arrangements. His voice on it's own would be nothing to write home (or a blog) about, but set against the beautifully textured backgrounds it gets his point across while still managing to melt into the song as a whole.


Personal Favorites: Opposite Day, Heretics, Fake Palindromes
Rating: [******** ] 8/10 Stars
Care to Have a Listen?