tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165017766256674652024-03-14T01:37:42.940-07:00Clicks and PopsLocated somewhere between music and silence, wow and flutter, past and future.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.comBlogger953125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-31520173528641400962020-12-30T11:21:00.000-08:002020-12-30T11:21:15.759-08:00I've Been RemissIt's been a rough year.
<p>Sorry about that.
<p>But I'm breaking my silence (better late than never) to present another in a series of perfect pop songs.
<p>And if it's from the band that did "Closing Time" in the last millenium and hasn't put out a record in nearly 20 years, well that's just 2020 for ya.
<p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z5Z9piEjSaA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-72780035705994203372019-11-15T16:37:00.001-08:002019-11-15T16:37:30.749-08:00Singing CreditsOne of the oddball phrases you hear a lot is that someone is so great that you'd listen to them read the phone book.<br />
<br />
Well, it used to be a phrase you'd hear a lot back before the internet when people had and used phone books. (Kids, ask your parents what this means.)<br />
<br />
But Harry Nilsson really did have a voice that was so beautiful that it would be cool to hear him sing the phone book.<br />
<br />
As far as I know he never did that (or at least never recorded it), but here's the next best thing: Nilsson sings the credits to the Otto Preminger movie <i>Skidoo</i>.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IXrDb0l6G3U" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-45803899633287548902019-09-09T13:35:00.000-07:002019-09-09T13:35:19.986-07:00Let's Go For A Bounce On My TrampolineSomeone told me the other night that I look like John Sebastian.<br />
<br />
I don't see it, but okay.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mlxi1bqcacY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-88128173818024279492019-09-06T17:26:00.003-07:002019-09-06T17:26:48.155-07:00I Wonder What It Cost MeI loved the original version of this by <b>Robyn Hitchcock</b> and never knew this version existed until the YouTube Rabbit Hole served it up for me just now. <br />
<br />
Oddly appropriate since I haven't posted in forever and the last post was another <b>Neko Case</b> song.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vsLwKkn_xEo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-87425322178282084852018-11-01T13:17:00.003-07:002018-11-01T13:17:27.385-07:00When You See Your Face on Their Money<b>They'll Use You For Centuries To Come</b><br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tT_ObjcZYbs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-61076200485502105452018-07-27T16:24:00.002-07:002018-07-27T16:24:36.260-07:00New Graham ParkerYeah!<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v40RdOINAUw" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-75626559175567135212018-06-27T13:46:00.002-07:002018-06-27T13:46:51.664-07:00No Ray of Sunlight's Ever Lost<br />
Real life has interfered in a big way recently. Sorry for the lack of posts.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, enjoy Vance Joy.<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uKqMNQkjHmI" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-20694874011195701052018-01-30T18:59:00.001-08:002018-01-30T18:59:23.958-08:00Your Best State of the Union Alternative<b>Don't Go Mistaking Your House Burning Down For the Dawn</b><br />
<br />
Listen to this.<br />
<br />
Like 20 or 30 times tonight.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QWmnBcNijvo" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
You're welcome.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-63650758609382469652018-01-13T21:29:00.002-08:002018-01-13T21:29:34.868-08:00If he's gonna be a cat, he probably would have one eye.There is far too much to love here.<br />
<br />
Robyn Hitchcock. Gillian Welch.<br />
<br />
And a very handsome one-eyed cat.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E5wVlYI42ro" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-36618096439947679182017-10-03T16:22:00.002-07:002017-10-03T16:22:24.864-07:00One Awful MondayAs if the news out of Las Vegas wasn't horrible enough, then there was the news about Tom Petty.<br />
<br />
Tom Freaking Petty.<br />
<br />
Who just finished three triumphant nights at the Hollywood Bowl.<br />
<br />
Who just produced the new Chris Hillman (from the Byrds) album <i>Bidin' My Time</i>.<br />
<br />
Who was just 66 years old.<br />
<br />
Oddly appropriately, here's the last track from that Chris Hillman album. <br />
<br />
Which came out ten freaking days ago.<br />
<br />
Ten freaking days.<br />
<br />
Fucking Mondays.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KbJMvAsuy0A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-50221468642539125502017-09-14T09:37:00.001-07:002017-09-14T09:37:35.781-07:00Really? 56? Shit.RIP Grant Hart. Thanks for the music.<br />
<br />
56? Fifty-f*cking-six? *sigh*<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eoKeH7JYE48" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SjZWJoNYpHI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-33586394238490218002017-09-09T18:39:00.002-07:002017-09-09T18:39:09.049-07:00Hurricane WishFor those in the path of the Hurricanes...<br />
<br />
May the worst nightmare you face in the next 24-48 hours be having this song stuck in your head.<br />
<br />
Stay safe... <br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4T5gjIiLRCg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-60484513585107177802017-08-08T17:49:00.002-07:002017-08-08T17:49:52.665-07:00Let's Just Leave This Here<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1Im-kDpw1LE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-37359208676752203902017-07-31T09:35:00.003-07:002017-07-31T09:35:46.377-07:00RIP Sam Shepard<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8s0ip_dmqQo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-81283368628686666912017-06-15T08:12:00.001-07:002017-06-15T08:12:24.310-07:00This is EverythingI love Jane Siberry's music.<br />
<br />
I listened to her first five albums over and over again. Saw her live a half dozen times in the 80s and early 90s.<br />
<br />
And then I tried to get into her later stuff.<br />
<br />
It was fine, but just never grabbed me.<br />
<br />
Maybe she'd just moved on, following her muse to a place that was a little less my cup of tea.<br />
<br />
I'd given up on the thought of her issuing new music that would thrill me as much as her old stuff. <br />
<br />
And that was fine. She was doing what she wanted and I'm all in favor of that.<br />
<br />
I didn't even know about this new album. And I certainly didn't have any expectations about it.<br />
<br />
But... then... out of the blue.<br />
<br />
Unexpectedly.<br />
<br />
Out of nowhere.<br />
<br />
This.<br />
<br />
This fucking song.<br />
<br />
That would have sounded perfect on <i>The Walking</i>.<br />
<br />
And suddenly, in under four minutes, I remember everything I love about Jane Siberry's music.<br />
<br />
Because. <br />
<br />
This.<br />
<br />
Is.<br />
<br />
Everything.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TT5hqkurgcg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-49145316506474305322017-05-24T16:16:00.000-07:002017-05-24T16:16:04.573-07:00Got to Pay Your Dues if You Wanna Sing the Blues...Here's something cool I'd never heard before...<br />
<br />
Thanks, YouTube Rabbit Holes...<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MMqpuCuK4rY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-3184026012106541932017-05-04T14:16:00.002-07:002017-05-04T14:16:34.883-07:00Song for AmericaI guess the good news is it starts with a single step.<br />
<br />
What is happening is not who we are as a nation.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F1L5zJ2afLs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-190851530745845832017-04-02T20:35:00.002-07:002017-04-02T20:35:50.891-07:00Dodge ThisI'm a sucker for all things Badfinger.<br />
<br />
So here's a B-side from the debut album by the Dodgers, the band formed by Badfinger's Tom Evans and Bob Jackson (who joined Badfinger for the <i>Head First</i> record, which remained unreleased for decades. Written by Tom Evans and has more than a little of "that" sound. You know the one I mean.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qz6kXjdxtm4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-47684193182544911692017-03-05T08:44:00.002-08:002017-03-05T08:44:58.596-08:00New Video for New New Pornographers<b>High On the Spirit, Hopped Up On Mystic</b><br />
<br />
For the longest time, I would refer to XTC as "my favorite band that still exists." That let me off the hook in terms of deciding if I preferred XTC to bands I loved that were long gone (like Badfinger). Later, it let me not have to decide if I liked XTC better than I liked the Beatles.<br />
<br />
And then without fanfare, XTC faded away. And years later, Andy Partridge admitted the band was no more.<br />
<br />
Which was really too bad because I'd grown used to the phrase "my favorite band that still exists."<br />
<br />
And now. Now.<br />
<br />
Now, there are some great bands around. Some amazing bands I like.<br />
<br />
But what, in 2017, is "my favorite band that still exists."<br />
<br />
Maybe, just maybe, it's the New Pornographers. Although I think of them less as a band than a collective that comes together every few years to drop a new record that feels like it exists outside of time. These albums could exist in 1968 or 1972 or 1984 or 2017.<br />
<br />
"My favorite band that still exists"?<br />
<br />
Maybe. Possibly. Could be.<br />
<br />
"This thing could go two ways, won't be another exit for days."<br />
<br />
Maybe I don't need a "favorite band that still exists." <br />
<br />
"Pack a small suitcase, anything else could be easily replaced."<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the missive from outside of time has arrived.<br />
<br />
Again. <br />
<br />
And music seems wonderful again.<br />
<br />
Plus, there's a motorcycle on fire, going through the hallways of a High School where all the students look like they're pushing 30. And what's not to like about that? <br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZAlHISTNbwY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-57645990766053768572017-02-15T08:46:00.000-08:002017-03-05T08:48:21.405-08:00Really, Why<b>Miasma</b><br />
<br />
A dollop of genuine weirdness.<br />
<br />
Craig Ferguson. They Might Be Giants. And John Hodgeman.<br />
<br />
What more could you want?<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JrtklvgsmWU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-71686941696737643982017-01-27T15:56:00.003-08:002017-01-27T15:56:22.642-08:00New New PornographersAs if a clarion call went up in the land.<br />
<br />
No more darkness, no more despair.<br />
<br />
Yes, times are dangerous.<br />
<br />
Yes, we're all at great risk.<br />
<br />
Yes, this could all be for nought.<br />
<br />
But take up arms because this thing could go two ways...<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TuxVvtDt6ss" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-54376139342868167392017-01-20T12:01:00.000-08:002017-01-20T12:01:07.471-08:00Join the Human Race<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zekIGdWdOp0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-45623987612152216562017-01-19T20:10:00.003-08:002017-01-19T20:10:52.298-08:00Just me and Barry McGuireWhy do you ask?<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ntLsElbW9Xo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-81842778444086158702017-01-06T07:59:00.003-08:002017-01-06T07:59:32.335-08:00Save Your Illusions<b>Where Angels Hover, I'll Hover Too</b><br />
<br />
May you live long enough that the useful experiments you long ago dismissed become clearer to you not just because of their failures but because of the nugget of quality and truth that shimmers beside the failures.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0FUgViZU2Pg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116501776625667465.post-90925533682796581422016-11-17T23:17:00.002-08:002016-11-17T23:17:42.775-08:00Signs of the Apocalypse?<br />
1. The Chicago Cubs win the World Series.<br />
2. The 2016 Presidential Election.<br />
3. I actually like this new Sting song.<br />
<br />
What is the world coming to?<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZtEIuz71tEk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13372496375739714441noreply@blogger.com0