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

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.

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

New Music Night

Good new stuff from Franz Ferdinand's new album Tonight.  Not terribly groundbreaking, but they have a good formula of catchy, danceable music.  I imagine that someday the formula will wear thin.  That happened with Barenaked Ladies and Cake for me.  But for now, I'm tappin' my toes to Franz one more time.  

No You Girls - Franz Ferdinand

Oh Buddha!

Lyrics for the song Oh Buddha, recorded by the Imperials:

Well, Old Buddha was a man and I’m sure that he meant well
But I pray for his disciples lest they wind up in hell
And I’m sure that old Mohammed thought he knew the way
But it won’t be Hare Krishna we stand before on The Judgment Day.

No, it won’t be old Buddha that’s sitting on the throne
And it won’t be old Mohammed that’s calling us Home
And it won’t be Hare Krishna that plays that trumpet tune
And we’re going to see The Son not Reverend Moon!

Well, I don’t hate anybody so please don’t take me wrong
But there really is a message to this simple song
You see there’s only one way Jesus if eternal life is your goal
Meditation of the mind won’t save your soul.

No, it won’t be old Buddha that’s sitting on the throne
And it won’t be old Mohammed that’s calling us Home
And it won’t be Hare Krishna that plays that trumpet tune
And we’re going to see The Son, not Reverend Moon!

Well, you can call yourself a Baptist and not be born again
A Presbyterian or a Methodist and still die in your sin
You can even be Charismatic shout and dance and jump a few
But if you hate your brother you wont be one of The Chosen Few.

Cause it won’t be a Baptist that’s sitting on The Throne
A Presbyterian or a Methodist that’s calling us Home
And it won’t be a Charismatic that plays that trumpet tune
So let’s all just live for Jesus ‘cause He’s coming back real soon.

No, it won’t be old Buddha that’s sitting on the throne
And it won’t be old Mohammed that’s calling us Home
And it won’t be Hare Krishna that plays that trumpet tune
And we’re going to see The Son, not Reverend Moon!
And we’re going to see The Son, not Reverend Moon!