Monday, February 25, 2008

Music Monday: Cloudless

Figure it's about time for another Music Monday... and why not actually have it come out on a Monday? It's all the more fun that way.

Big things have been afoot (and will be in the next month) here in Austin. Last week's debate was a pretty big talking point amongst nearly everyone here in town. My roommate's little brother actually had a front row seat after winning a ticket in the student lottery (1/100 chances, not bad), and another friend spent about 20 minutes waxing poetic with Chelsea Clinton at Guero's later that night (about hair no less - they've got the same type apparently). But that's neither here nor there in relation to this edition of Music Monday. I just thought you might like a little update from your friendly blue dot in Texas.

There was a post a couple weeks ago that was nothing but an exclamation about how absolutely beautiful it has been here lately, so this week's playlist is just a good summation of the vibrations felt as the the sun roof rolls back and you're able to smell the fresh water emanating throughout my fair city. This is why we put up with 100+ heat in the summer...

Music Monday: Cloudless

1. The Mountaineers - I Gotta Sing -- From the album Messy Century. The Mountaineers are a Welsh group that has just not had any luck commercially despite releasing critically solid records. I myself picked this album up out of the "trash bin" at my college radio station. After hearing one track I decided to keep it and a month later when I made my first trek to the UK, this album accompanied me and now represents the Scottish Highlands and sunny days. This is their only full length, they've got a few EP's that have received on par reviews, but after being dropped by their label in 03/04 due to restructuring they've been on a permanent hiatus. There is rumor of new material, but I think it's just fanboys like myself hoping that they'll release something more to bide our appetites. This is a great album on the whole, and it contains one of my favorite songs of all time - UK Theatre - to be utilized in a Music Monday playlist in the near future to be sure.

2. The Smiths - The Boy With The Thorn In His Side -- from The Queen Is Dead. Oh Moz, oh Marr, you'll never reunite despite however much we hope. Enough has surely been said about The Smiths. I have only become a fan within the past year or so, but that's not to say I haven't just taken ahold with a clenched jaw. Morrissey definitely has a penchant for slightly morbid, somber lyrics, but coupled with Marr's uplifting arrangements these songs sound eerily uplifting. This is an eyes-closed-face-up-basking-in-the-sun track for this Spring.

3. The Thrills - Restaurant -- from Teenager. I said I'd make use of this album months ago, yet I never did, until now. The Thrills, despite however much they may or may not try, will never cease to be a band that makes music for the summer. They didn't help matters from the beginning by coming out with a sound that was nothing but The Beach Boys. Their second release, Let's Bottle Bohemia, was a little darker and harder, but still... think of the Beach Boys with a slight attitude. Now on Teenager they've seemed to have accepted who they are, they are comfortable with that and have opened up the sound they so instinctively (and near perfectly) arrange. Utter Happiness.

4. Coconut Records - Summer Day -- from Nighttiming. Jason Schwartzman and Zooey Deschanel. Coconut Records is his solo moniker and she's helping on a few tracks. It's sweet and it's simple. She's got an amazingly soft voice that works perfectly. He sounds like he's still in Phantom Planet, but hey when he was in Phantom Planet, they weren't too bad. Pop, but not bad, perfect for a.... Summer Day.

5. Albert Hammond, Jr. - Well... All Right -- this is from an odd little B-side record I picked up somewhere, I have no idea where though. It's easy and melodic, and very apparent where a lot of that early Strokes sound came from (they've evolved a bit). I love The Strokes, therefore I love Hammond's work. His, Yours To Keep, was another great Spring/Summer album and I hear he's got another one on the way, since The Strokes seem to be on a permanent hiatus themselves (goddamn hip people).


Thus concludes Cloudless. Have a great time with this one, that what it's purpose is. Roll down your windows and breathe in that fresh air... if you've got it. I apologize if you don't have amazing weather right now... just imagine if you did though. Don't worry, Global Warming will hit soon enough and we'll all have a permanent summer to enjoy. YAY!

2 comments:

Anton Seim said...

I'm editing something today, using nothing but Music Mondays as the soundtrack. Thanks for the music!

Martha Elaine Belden said...

mmmm... i'm SO excited to listen to this one. as always, thanks for the new music!

seriously... this is the only thing that can make mondays happy days :D