I Hope Your Ears Bleed » bright eyes

The Best Songs of 2011 (So Far) – Part 2

Nathan — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:47:30 +0000

Yesterday I gave you the first 10 songs in my list of favorite songs of this year. I know the just over 3 months have passed, but a lot of great music has come out already. So here is the next 10 songs in my list. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

25. The Jayhawks – Settled Down Like Rain

These guys may have actually pulled off the impossible and made a great reunion record (one that might be their best yet).

24. Bobby Long – Who Have You Been Loving?

One of the catchiest choruses of the year from a British newcomer.

23. Lykke Li – Love Out of Lust
Lykke Li – Love Out Of Lust by LykkeLi

I’ve had the melody of this chorus stuck in my head for days.

22. Cut Copy – Take Me Over

This track is straight out the 80′s, and I mean that in the best of ways.

21. Generationals – Greenleaf

This song did a better job than the weather did at letting me know that Spring had finally arrived.

20. Over the Rhine – The King Knows How

After 20 years these indie rockers just keep getting better and better. This song just transforms me to another time and place.

19. The Belle Brigade – Losers

Reminds me of Fleetwood Mac in a good way. Losers, you no longer need Good Charlotte to represent you.

18. Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks

This year’s hipster anthem. It’ll get you whistling in no time. This year’s “Young Folks.”

17. Bright Eyes – Shell Games

I can’t get enough of this 80′s influenced rock anthem. I love the way Oberst continues to evolve.

16. Beady Eye – The Roller

I’m still not convinced they didn’t steal this song from The Beatles’ archive. John and Paul would be proud.

Listen to #’s 35-26

The Killers Are Covering the Basics

Nathan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:07:37 +0000

According to Paste Magazine, the Killers have plans to record a covers album by the end of the year. I think this album could either be really great for the killers and for the genre of cover albums, or I think it could really bomb. The Killers have tried their hand at cover songs a few times already. They’ve recorded a couple really great covers, and some not so great. I think it will all come down to the song selection. As far as what could get covered for this album, I think the list is wide open. Some names that are already being thrown around are Genesis, Cyndi Lauper, Tom Waits, and Fleet Foxes. Oddly enough, I feel like they have a better chance of pulling it off with the more outlandish pop songs than with the indie rock stuff. But who knows. Here’s some of what they have done so far. Which one do you think is the best?

Monsters of Folk Album Coming to Fruition

Nathan — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:10:16 +0000

It has finally been confirmed that the one time tour mates that called themselves the “Monsters of Folk” have recorded an album. This indie-rock supergroup is made up of M. Ward, Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Conor Oberst, and Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes producer). Talk of this album has been floating around the blogosphere ever since they first went on tour together in ’04. It is great to finally receive news that this record is actually complete. The self-titled debut is set to be released 9/22 via Shangri-La. According to the press release, these four guys will be playing all the instruments on the record. Here are a few tunes for those of you who are foolish enough to think that these guys don’t make folk music. I am so stinkin’ excited for this record.

M. Ward, Conor Oberst & Jim James – Girl From The North Country

Bright Eyes – Lua

Jim James & Calexico – Goin’ To Acapulco

M. Ward – Helicopter

Waxploitation: Causes 2

Nathan — Sat, 09 May 2009 23:19:48 +0000

Waxploitation records has just released the second installment of their ongoing benefit series for Darfur. 100% of all profits made on this stellar compilation will go to Doctors Without Borders, Human Rights Watch, and Oxfam America. Each of these three organizations are doing incredible things to help those suffering from the crises taking place in Darfur.

Several of the best indie artists in the business have donated rare and exclusive songs for this great cause. So I encourage you to go to iTunes or Amazon and download these tracks. It is a great way to get some new music and love your neighbor at the same time. You should also check out Causes 1, which is also loaded with great artists, such as Bright Eyes, The Shins, Spoon and Death Cab. And if you go to the Causes store, you can buy both albums for just $17.

Tracklist for Causes 2

Black Moth Super Rainbow – Happy Melted City
The Decemberists – After The Bombs (Live Version)
Devendra Banhart – White Reggae Troll
Diplo – Wassup Wassup (Exclusive Samim Remix)
Federico Aubele – Luna y Sol
Gnarls Barkley – Mystery Man
LCD Soundsystem – Starry Eyes Original (Causes Exclusive)
My Morning Jacket – Highly Suspicious (VHS or Beta DJs Remix)
Matthew Dear – When She Don’t Need Me (Causes Exclusive)
Mum – Asleep In A Hiding Place
Neon Neon – I Lust U Feat. Cate le Bon (DJ Eli Escobar Remix)
Richard Swift – Wastin’ M’Time
RJD2 – Wherever
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – It Hurts To Be Alone
Tim & Eric – Petite Feet (Exclusive Devlin & Ghostdad Remix Feat. Sylvia Gordon)

Weekly Recap: Conor Oberst, Leonard Cohen and More

Nathan — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:09:30 +0000

New Conor Oberst Track

Conor Oberst posted a new song from his forthcoming album, Outer South, on his web-site to be streamed. Click here to listen to “Slowly (Oh So Slowly).” Sounds like he is going to continue one with The Mystical Valley Band for at least one more record, which is great news for us.

New Leonard Cohen Album

If you head on over to NPR you can stream in its entirety the double disc collection Live in London by Leonard Cohen. This is a great introduction for anyone who’s only interraction with Cohen’s music is the Rufus Wainwright cover of his epic “Hallelujah” found on the Shrek soundtrack.

The Killers Cover Bright Eyes

The Killers will relaese their song Spaceman off of their new record Day & Age as a single on April 14th. Which wouldn’t be noteworthy at all, but for the cover of the very country Bright Eyes song, ” Four Winds” that was recorded for the B-side.

Where The Wild Things Are

The trailer for the new Spike Jonze interpretation of possibly the greatest children’s book ever, Where the Wild Things Are was released last week, and it looks awesome. That partly due to how awesome Wild Thing looks, and then also because of the sweet version of The Arcade Fire’s “Wake Up” that is playing in the background.

Arcade Fire – Wake Up (ft. David Bowie)

New Death Cab For Cutie Record

Stereogum premiered a new Death Cab For Cutie record, The Open Door EP. Each day last week they would post one of the five tracks that were recorded during the Narrow Stairs process, but are definitely not outcasts. My favorite might be the last track, which is the only unoriginal track of the bunch, a stripped down demo of “Talking Bird.”

Johnny Cash Christmas Special – Silent Night

Nathan — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:07:42 +0000

In the late 1970s, Johnny Cash hosted a Christmas Special each year, and pitchfork has decided to host a couple of their favorite moments the show. I really enjoyed them and I am sure you will too.

Here is a great version of Silent Night, performed by Johnny and his wife June Carter.

Here is the great gospel tune “This Train is Bound for Glory” performed by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Carl Perkins.

The late, great Andy Kauffman showing off his expertise by doing Elvis Presley’s “That’s Where Your Heartaches Begin.”

Here are a few more versions of possibly one of the most gorgeous Christmas songs ever written.

Ben Harper & the Blind Boys of Alabama – Silent Night

Bing Crosby – Silent Night

Bright Eyes – Silent Night

Damien Rice & Lisa Hannigan – Silent Night

Hugh Laurie – Silent Night

Johnny Cash – Silent Night

Lifehouse – Silent Night

My Morning Jacket – Silent Night

Priscilla Ahn – Silent Night

Relient K – Silent Night; Away in a Manger

Sarah McLachlan – Silent Night

Stevie Nicks – Silent Night

Sufjan Stevens – Silent Night

Tom Waits – Silent Night

Wow…kind of exhausting. So if you dared to actually sample them all please share with us your favorite. Were you suprised by which one you liked the most. I know I was. I hope your ears aren’t actually bleeding, I just want you really enjoy the music.

Music Video of the Week: An Introduction to Sunshine- A Lesson in Economics; and, a shameless plug.

Justin — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:07:20 +0000

Sometimes when I feel like wasting time at work I hop on the ol’ interweb and look for inspiration in music video’s. I usually don’t feel guilty about this since I am a videographer (shameless plug to come later), so I consider it “research”.

My hope for this weekly segment is to highlight a music video that features both awesome visuals and awesome music, but the priority will go to the visuals (because lets be honest, sometimes an awful band will make an awesome video, and vica versa).

I figure I better start this segment off with a bang, so here is my first highlight:

I love when the director for a video comes up with a really simple idea and executes it really well. There is not really a story to this video, but it is still fun to look at.

Now for a shameless plug:

I hope your ears (and eyes) bleed.