The Big Man’s Brew: Volume 2, Number 4
1. Pink Maggit by Deftones
White Pony, which Pink Maggit was the tail end of, marked a new direction, a more mature direction, for the Deftones. But, the song was then transformed into a more abrasive, condensed version for radio + TV called Mini Maggit. I prefer Pink Maggit, obviously. It has a patience, a build, that is straight up phenomenal.
2. Everything That Happens by David Byrne + Brian Eno
Otherworldly. That’s about the only world I can use to describe this song. There’s something… hopeful in the structure of the song, including the vocals which recite a completely hopeless tale. But coupled with the warbley [somewhere between warm + wobbly], scant piano strikes, and layered vocals, takes this song to a whole ‘nother plane.
3. Amazing Grace by The Pipes + Drums + Military Band Of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
Rhonda thinks this a sad tune. It feels empowering to me. I love how its bookended with solos, be, even more so, how a bevy of bagpipes pull together at around the fifty-three second mark. On top of that, they just keep piling on more and more bagpipes. Only to end, as mentioned before, with a sole performance that seems to whisper off into the night.
4. Here’s Looking At You, Kid by The Gaslight Anthem
Just because they’re from Jersey, The Gaslight Anthem seems to be thrown in with the likes of Springsteen. Which isn’t all that surprising, but seems kinda lazy. Though, Here’s Looking At You, Kid sounds eerily similar to I’m On Fire. Its probably the steady, driving-yet-light drums that run throughout the measure of the song. For my money, The Gaslight Anthem’s album, The ’59 Sound, has closer ties to the songs from Eddie and the Cruisers. Which is a compliment.
5. Moonlight Mile by The Rolling Stones
I will fully admit that I heard the song Moonlight Mile long after seeing the film with the same name. Someone had pointed to the song, so I whipped out my unlistened to copy of Sticky Fingers to give it a spin. very good, very different tune for the Stones. Its rather lush and gorgeous… other than Mick’s gruff begging, which is still good.
6. Takin’ State by The City Champs
I did a double-take at the release date if The City Champs’ Takin’ State. It sounds like a track off of an old Booker T. + the M.G.s record. It even has that layer of noise which makes it sound as if it were actually ripped from vinyl.
7. Her Morning Elegance by Oren Lavie
Her Morning Elegance was one of the early, free music videos offered from iTunes, which is an amazing achievement in stop-motion animation. The song ain’t half bad either. Nice, mid-tempo, somewhat folky tune with a hint of, well, elegance.
8. Another Likely Story by Au Revoir Simone
I love the intro to this song. Once it gets to the vocals, its just alright. The pulsating electronics that inhabit the first minute twenty are astounding. It truly seems that the song has to stop in order for the singer to sing. Which somewhat pulls away from how good the track really is.
9. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye by David Gray
This version trumps the original so much its not even an argument. Both lengthy, spacious, David Gray’s take on Soft Cell’s hit steps about four steps forward. Transmorphing a blippy, electronic, ’80s tune into a lavish, yet folky, piece of utter pop brilliance.
10. Breathing Out by Doveman
Doveman appears, at first, to need to breath out a bit more, as his vocals are barely audible. This track has a morose feeling throughout, both in music and lyrics. Not sure who hurt Man de la Dove, but man is he ever taking it hard. Maybe he needs to take a listen to the next track.
11. Good Arms Vs Bad Arms by Frightened Rabbit
Again with the one word descriptor, I would describe Good Arms Vs Bad Arms as lovely. In the charming, British way of course. Thoroughly upbeat in musical nature, one can’t help but bouncy along to this song. The lyrics are abrasive in spurts, seemingly telling a tale of a jilted guy. But that drumbeat, that acoustic guitar, the electric guitar, what even sounds like a mandolin, everything comes together into one glorious song.
12. Fake Empire by The National
The kick off track from The National’s thoroughly impressive album, The Boxer, Fake Empire is a mash of all sorts of influences. Starting with a spacey sound that leads into a pretty steady piano riff, the song escalates at every twist and turn. Adding layer upon layer of carefully crafted noise, until finally orgasming with a heap o’ horns at the tail end.
13. Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight by Whiskeytown
“Onetwothreefour” kicks off Whiskeytown’s destined-to-be-played-at-every-bar-across-ths-great-land’s Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight. Ryan Adams sings along to jangled banjo strumming, pop-y drums and an oddly subdued fiddle. A little after two minutes in, Alejandro Escovedo pops his head in, which is a nice pairing with Adams’ take on the track.
14. All My Days by Alexi Murdoch
This track used to resonate a lot deeper with me. Then I saw Away We Go, and got a little tired of it. Don’t get me wrong, its a helluva song. But the film uses it ad nauseam, both in vocal and instrumental form. What’s wild is that Murdoch has a volume of good work. For some reason Sam Mendes felt the need to continually use All My Days… blast it all to hell!
15. Take the Long Way Home by Lazlo Bane
I used to think I really liked the Supertramp original. I checked it out recently, and was dismayed at the result. Eek. The original feels hokey. Whereas Lazlo Bane’s take is fun and lighthearted, whilst being grounded in a solid song. I reckon The Kurgan was right, there truly can be only one.
16. You Had Time by Ani Difranco
Nick Hornby does a much better job than I in describing what makes Ani Difranco’s You Had Time such a good song. So there’s really nothing I can say. Check out Hornby’s Songbook to find out what he thinks.
