Are You Sure You Dressed For The Weather?

I’m terrible in my wrongness, in my refusal or inability or misguidedness to not let the words poetic or musical slack into the other territory. To quote Short Hand—a poet is not a musician. So I guess I’m saying the opposite too is yep. This cannot be definite (wait for it wait for it) but I can’t help myself. I know poets and I know musicians (sure sure some are both but of two body-deep places their words/songs radiate). I see poets/poems bubbling from a yearning that can’t be relieved ever or for long. Music, man, it tingles and trickles out. (both are great doh doh dom different is all, for me)

Reason one realization—Bro. Stephen is poetic, people. On that new album, Baptist Girls, (HEAR IT HERE) the tingling scratches itself raw, a cloud to huff. A heartbreak, a quivering. But listen close. There it is the yearning that knows itself unquenchable. Yet it goes. The record and its fourteen songs (two-three min range—this seems important) shiver together almost like one long song interrupted by tiny gasps—whose? (FLIP THE RECORD). What makes this record make me break my rule is Bro. Stephen and his self exuding through that soft voice, that steady guitar, those lyrics all a big old hum letting out something unmistakable yet no no you can’t touch it.



Sure sure the music I love most (clangy loud a little sloppy) can explode a body, a person, a voice and be emotion BOOM. Same for this slowcoustic stuff that Bro. Stephen is a part of. But the emotion there, at least as I respond to/see it, exists as a reason to jam that song or a string to pull the parts together. I call this poetic, more importantly I like this Bro. Stephen album lots lots because it is evident how yearning fills this fellow, a loveable searching that overrides whatever is or isn’t happening musically.

GET IT HERE

SO STOKED TO SEE Bro Stephen AT THIS SHOW

DEEP SHIT

state chimp from sophomorelounge on Vimeo.

I'm not sure I've ever been this excited for a new album: Deep Shit by State Champion.

HELP COOL MUSICIANS

HERE IS THE KICKSTARTER PROJECT

The Bonesetters are some awesome dudes, awesome musicians. And they need some help putting out their debut full-length. These songs are what I dig in music: sincere, body shaking, go-go serious jams. I can't wait to hold this album. DONATE PLEASE:)

But it's weird my face don't look quite the same

Sure, it's National Poetry Month, but don't forget National Record Store Day. In honor of the goodness words that come with music, my favorite lyrics from one of my favorite bands right now. These three dudes and one girl shredded the inside of VGR last NRSD and I was like OH NO THE FLOOR IS GONNA CAVE IN. I wish. Pile it on.

Help Me Sing
by State Champion

Some lay flowers on the side of the highway
To note the death of the ones they loved
While other flowers spend their whole lives out on the highway
Standing for nothing it's just where they're from
And I guess I know in some backwards way that all these

Billboards lighting up the back of the day
Been slowly inking me down a giant map of the states
'Til I can find somewhere to shack up and unpack all my things
I got a swine full of quarters, a telephone
If I could only find a minute to talk
I got a gold watch ticking with a sailor's mouth
I think the hour hand is flicking me off
I got a pocketknife and a pocket mirror
But it's weird my face don't look quite the same
'Cause I got a half-empty bottle of something Lord
It's a half-full bottle of dreams

Can you help me sing the one
You helped me sing when the day was done?
You helped me sing to a great big sun
That was setting on some old black couch in my room
Can you help me sing the song
You helped me sing out on the lawn?
You helped me sing to bring up the dawn
And bring it back to your mom and daddy's house
'Cause I don't want to sing this one
If I've got to sing without you
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/state_champion/help_me_sing.html ]
Brother let your hair blow
Won't you let your hair blow brave
Don't let them tell you that it ain't the same wind
That's been making them sacred bandanas wave
A Jew on the cross a dew on the moss
That's two ways to behave
Gas station diner firework shop souvenir
Twenty-four hour cum stains on the radio waves
I guess I'll figure it out when I'm older
For now you call Sal and I'll call Dakota
They've got a half-empty bottle of vodka with them
I got a half full bottle of optimism

And we'll sing the one
You helped me sing when the day was done
You helped me sing to a great big sun
That was setting on some old black couch in my room
Can you help me sing the song
You helped me sing out on the lawn?
You helped me sing to bring up the dawn
And bring it back to your mom and daddy's house
'Cause I don't want to sing this one if it's going to make me feel blue

About the way things will never be the same again
Been feeling red about the places where I laid my hands
Last night thought I could save a couple grains of sand
From slowly slipping through a south-bound highway ramp
But I was wrong

So can you help me sing the one
You helped me sing when the day was done?
You helped me sing to a great big sun
That was setting on some old black couch in my room
Can you help me sing the song
You helped me sing out on the lawn?
You helped me sing to bring up the dawn
And bring it back to your mom and daddy's house
'Cause I don't want to sing this one if just I've got to sing
Don't want to sing this one if I've got to sing without you

More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/state_champion/#share

Who The Hell Do I Think I Am Talking About Music?

Like with the most important books post, I wanted to make a list of the albums that have had the most impact on me, whatever that means. These are in no particular order.

Proud Flesh by Husband&Wife: From their first self-titled album to this latest album, Husband&Wife has progressed as smoothly and melodically as any band I've ever heard. I was hesitant to put this one on the list since it's so new, but 1) I didn't feel like Dark, Dark Woods has the constant effect on me needed to be on this list and 2) this is already my favorite H&W release. YOU SHOULD TOTALLY SEE SARA AND I SING THIS ALBUM. CUTEZ.

Rock N' Soul Pt. I by Hall and Oates: I like to BOOGIE. It feels nice.

Nothing Feels Good by The Promise Ring: No singer seems more approachable on an album that Davey Von Bohlen on this release. Start to finish, this album taught me the power of a voice in art, whether it be music or otherwise.

Stale Champagne by State Champion: Another newer album, but in my unorganized mind-list of favorite albums, this one keeps climbing. If jangled into music, I feel like this is what my two families sound like smashed together. Also, some of the best rock n' roll lyrics I've ever heard.

Nouns by No Age: When I bought this album at VGR, I had settled into this groove of just listening to music I already knew and my friends bands. This album got me rejuvenated about the music being made today.

Recovery by Away With Vega: YOU WANNA SEE ME REALLY STOKED? LISTEN TO THIS WITH ME. This album taught me how to be comfortable with getting excited about things.

Life But No More by Frank Schweikhardt: This album taught me to calm down and relax and listen. I haven't heard a better album to listen to when talking to buds.

Turn It Around by Comeback Kid: Sometimes, this is the only record I'll listen to at the gym. Pure energy and heart.

Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi: I'm not joking when I say I like this album. I've never heard BIG ROCK music that sounds this close to cool. "Livin' On A Prayer" is one song I wish every band would cover.

Do You Know Who You Are? by Texas Is The Reason: I like fuzz and cool lyrics and pounding drums. PERFECT. I bought this on the first trip Sara and I took together like four years ago, so it's always a nice reminder.

Post Nothing by Japandroids: Another newer one. Another mind-list climber. THIS IS ARM SHAKIN' MUSIC. These songs are also attached to Tyler F. in my mind which makes them extra important.

Full Collapse by Thursday: The first band that I listened to with a girl. The first album I listened to when that girl broke up with me. The first album I go to when I wanna feel 15 again. IT HAPPENS AND THAT IS OKAY.

The Very Best of The Temptations: The soundtrack to my childhood oddly enough. The unity in the singing is still extraordinary to me. So many memories of trying to sing these songs with my dad on the way to hunting and fishing trips.

The Things We Carry by Have Heart: I have to be careful listening to this in public. I start shouting and stage diving off benches.

That Within Blood Ill-Tempered by Shai Hulud: When I need a reminder that loud can be beautiful, this is my go-to album.

The Moon and Antartica by Modest Mouse: I'm a sucker for quirky lyrics and wacky music. BOOYEAH. My go-to shower album.

Check Your Head by The Beastie Boys: I bought this album for four dollars, new, at a closing FYE like four or five years ago. I don't know if a week goes by without listening to it. I love how the sillyness can come through as cool. LESSON THERE.

Red Light District by Ludacris: I'm a big fan of association and Ludacris is the master. EXAMPLE:

Causin lyrical disasters, it's the master
Make music for Mini-Me's, models and Fat Bastards
These women tryin to get me out my Pelle Pelle
They strip off my clothes and tell me, "Get in my belly!"

Clarity by Jimmy Eat World: There is a perfect time/place/weather for this album that I just know when it's hear and that experience is something like meditation or yoga or other things that sound good for me but I can't do. Also, this album will always be the link that started my friendship with Layne.

We Make Our Own Luck by In The Face Of War: Another favorite shower album. MAY 7th will be ITFOW's last show, but this album has enough heart and punch to last me awhile.

The Sky Stared Down With Angry Clouds by Fire When Ready: The first time I saw Fire When Ready, I was like they are okay. A year later, I saw them again and was like WHAT WERE YOU THINKING DUDE THEY TOTALLY RULE. And then they broke up. This album is a reminder of how silly I can be when I'm paying more attention to babes than art.

OKAY THAT IS ALL I GUESS

MIKE ADAMS MIKE ADAMS MIKE ADAMS

I'm a huge fan of Mike Adams: guitar/vocals for Husband&Wife (makers of one of my favorite albums of all time: Proud Flesh), one dude of XRA Records (REAL GOOD DIY LABEL), and guitar/vocals of Handbook For William (that silly fun band from my high school days).

AND NOW THIS, OSCILLATE WISELY, HIS SOLO ALBUM, PLAYIN SOME SERIOUS ROCK JAMS

I'm a huge fan of thoughtful lyrics, catchy jams, and a little fuzz. GOT IT.

Don't You Blanket When That Happens

To this end, I do not have to know.
It's all in fun, but gets so personal.
I know it so well I could quote it to you now.
It's fading
fast and we'll see if I care on the day it's gone.
This old world has tried to tell us 1000 times...
we'll lay in wait and carve out a better space.
I love it when that happens.
Too fast to climb, too far to fall,
when it turns out we need it all along.
Will this end?
It seems I have to know.
It wasn't then, but now I'm volatile.
I know it so well I could quote it to you now.
It's changing fast but we'll see if I'm dead on the day it's gone.
This old world has tried to tell us 1000 times the burden's great, but it's worse when you're out of shape.
I hate it when that happens.

I bought this album for Sara for her birthday. WHAT A GREAT IDEA.