Webb Sisters New EP

Certainly, there are bigger new releases this week.  Still, I find myself listening a lot to the new Webb Sisters EP, Comes in Twos (available on itunes).  They have been performing with Leonard Cohen live, making his upcoming tour dates all the more compelling (most of the North American dates will be announced soon).  The EP features a live recording of Cohen with the Webb Sisters performing If it Be Your Will.  Brilliant.  They are so damn good that Cohen pretty much just introduces them and lets them perform his song.  

I'm not sure if the Sisters have been influenced by Cohen or if they were selected to preform with him because of a similar musical outlook.  Some tracks could be called alternative country, especially In Your Father's Eyes.  Others, such as Words That Mobilise [sic], will be pleasing and familiar to fans of Cohen.  I like them all.  A solid release, and I'll definitely look forward to seeing the Webb Sisters performing with Leonard Cohen.  If I can get tickets.

Worse Song?

Lionel Richie released a new single, Just Go.  I'm not sure I've heard a worse song released as a single in quite some time.  What happens to musicians as they grow older that causes them to release pure pap?

Careless Whisper

I'm not sure it really takes all that much to do a grunge cover of a 1980s song, but Seether's version of Careless Whisper is pretty good for what it is.  Actually, this is a double dose of nostalgia for me -- the 1980s trip combined with the 1991 sound.  Is grunge making a comeback?

Careless Whisper - Seether

Mac and iPhone Are Not the Same Thing

Just a quick geek vent lamenting that so many formerly good sources for news and information about Macs have too much iPhone information.  Yes, both products are made by Apple.  But that does not mean I'm interested in sorting through reviews of every dorky new iPhone app.  

The Rake's Song

The Decemberists came out with a new single, The Rake's Songfrom the upcoming album, The Hazards of Love.

Quite disturbing, but superb nonetheless.  Looking forward to the album, which is supposed to continue with the story of the narrator heard in this song.

Starting to Feel the Disappointment

I knew this day would come, but I didn't think it would come so soon. I'm feeling a creeping sense of disappointment with President Obama, the stimulus package, and most of all with the Democrats in Congress. I guess I'm still holding out some hope that the Senate will clean things up, perhaps with pressure from President Obama. But it is not too damn likely. I'm not against taking out a mortgage in the form of additional debt (although I really hate the idea of debt), but it should be limited to spending that meet two tests. First, the spending must provide a near-term benefit in the form of either jobs or other economic stimulus. Second, the spending must be for something that really is an investment in the future and not merely current spending. Plenty in the bill as currently written meets neither test. Much of it does not qualify as an investment in the future.

I'd also be okay with using this opportunity to take on a big challenge -- particularly real comprehensive health care reform or a progressive tax simplification. Alas, neither -- even though both could be done in a way that stimulates the economy. Just stupid spending on stuff that makes the Democrats and Obama vulnerable to attack -- and rightly so.

New Music Tuesday

As is typical on Tuesdays, a slew of new music was released. The first single to catch my eye was Black Weddingby Meg & Dia. This will be one of the songs on the upcoming album, Here, Here and Here, which is set to be released on March 3, 2009.

I was only vaguely familiar with them prior to listening to this single, so I approach it with a clean slate. Musically it sounds on par with Avril Lavigne or Taylor Swift. Although that is an accurate observation, I realize it may not be entirely fair. Singles are often uninteresting musically. They are designed to be catchy even to the person listening on the radio while ordering at the Carl's Jr. drive through. This single should work well on pop and so-called alternative radio.

Lyrically, it is somewhat more sophisticated. Dia posted the lyrics and an explaination of the meaning on her myspace blog, if anybody cares to check that out. Personally, I didn't love this song or the lyrics, but it is enough for me to want to check out some of their back catalog and possibly the new album.

Black Wedding (Album Version) ...

[Edit: I found another new single from Meg & Dia, -- What If-- that sounds even more like Avril Lavigne. Oh well.]

What If (Album Version) - Meg ...

Coachella

The lineup for 2009 Coachella looks pretty damn good, at least for Friday. Paul McCartney seems to have been a bit of a boob since around 1970. The real headliner is Leonard Cohen. If all you did was show up for his performance, the ticket price would be worth it. Add in Franz Ferdinand and Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), and Friday is set to be a great night. Of course, I can't forget about Morrissey. Wow. I'm somehow a bit ashamed to also admit that I'd like to see the Ting Tings. The only problem with Friday night is whether you'd be able to catch all of those shows.

Saturday is a bit of a dud in my view. I've always thought the Killers were overrated. Perhaps knowing the Mormon connection has clouded my judgment. Amy Winehouse might be interesting to see. I saw TV on the Radio in concert before and can't stand them either.

Sunday is also a dud with the huge exception of the Cure. I saw them when they headlined Coachella a few years ago and they gave a great show as always. I also saw them last year and for the first time they seemed to be a bit of a retro, novelty show. All the 30+ crowd forced their increasingly fat bodies into their old goth clothes and made a go of it one more time. The infusion of youth from the Coachella crowd will be a good thing, and some kids might discover a great band.

I'm envious of those of you who can make it to Coachella this year.

Oh Buddha!

I posted the lyrics to this song as one of my first blog posts. I finally have found an audio version. I still prefer this by the Imperials or other adult -- especially Eric -- because it sounds much more intolerant that way. But even kids can effectively communicate the message that they will go to heaven and everybody else in the world is going to hell.

Oh Buddha - Nashville Singers