Sunday Mix

mp3: “The Darkest Side” – The Middle East
“…and it’s the darkest side of my heart that dies when you come to me…”
It took a couple listens for this song to grow on me. It’s funny, most of the songs I run into are “nexted” within seconds. I don’t give them another chance, but some, including several that I’ve posted here in the past catch me just enough to garner another listen or two. I don’t know what the formula is, but I am often (but not always!!) quite glad that I made that choice.
The Recordings of The Middle East
The Middle East-MySpace

mp3: “40 Day Dream” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
This one is a little easier. It kind of swings over a couple styles in a way that I enjoy, one minute I am here, the next I am somewhere else…but I really think that it is the laughter, the claps/stomps and the “ooh aahs” that make me want to hear this one again and again. Yeah.
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros-MySpace

mp3: “Factory” – Band of Horses
Ahh, Band of Horses…love them. As for this song, I really love the moments between the verses. And…I’m “wondering only what did you do today.”
Infinite Arms
Band of Horses-MySpace

mp3: “Flagship” – Jump into the Gospel
Darn it, I just like it. I find myself singing along and it makes me want to move. It will be good for housekeeping…loud and energetic!
Songs available (for free!) at their website: Jump Into the Gospel
Jump into the Gospel-MySpace

mp3: “Off the Ground” – Citizen Cope
Starr had a big love for Citizen Cope a few years ago and his song “Sideways”. This song feels a little bigger, but still has that Citizen Cope vibe that feels instantly familiar and somehow right.
The Rainwater LP
Citizen Cope-MySpace

A Saturday Mix

mp3: “Blood” – The Middle East
I can’t really hear the lyrics well enough to understand them, but I am drawn to the mood of this song. The melancholy and then bells and light. It caught me in the first few seconds and then I was pleasantly surprised with the end.
Album: Recordings of The Middle East
The Middle East-MySpace

mp3: “Heart to Tell” – The Love Language
I love the turn this takes at about 33 seconds in (I can often tell where a song is headed, but I didn’t see this coming), I appreciate the retro sound…and the smiles it left me with. Is it a break up/troubled relationship song?
Album: I can’t find one…possibly Libraries?…maybe it’s not released yet.
Here is a link to their label: Merge Records: The Love Language
The Love Language-MySpace

mp3: “Brother” – Color of Clouds
I fell in love with this one right away. It’s soft and slightly swingy, though sad.
Album (or EP in this case): The Look
Color of Clouds-MySpace

mp3: “I Was Denied” – Thee Oh Sees
Another song with a retro sound (so many lately!). A banger. It’s loud and bit rough, but like it? I do!
Thee Oh Sees-MySpace

Also:

I can’t link to these songs, but check out this Daytrotter session with Josh Ritter (check it out when you have some time to listen, it’s good):

Josh Ritter: Daytrotter Session recorded April 12, 2010

Bonus mp3: “Kathleen” – Josh Ritter
Album: Hello Starling