Articles

I haven't written in my journal here in years, and even then I never really was active on it. I've decided it would be fun to occasionally update it from now on with my thoughts on music, what I've been listening to, etc, and to start this off...

Album Spotlight: Dear You, by Jawbreaker

Every once in a while you'll come across an artist or album from several (sometimes many) years ago, that blows your mind and completely alters the way you look at music, or just generally puts your life on a different course, even if only slightly. For me, one of these albums has been "Dear You" by Jawbreaker.

It has only been a year or so, if that, since I heard it for the first time. A good friend of mine, Adam, had always sung the praises of Jawbreaker and finally he loaned me his album for me to copy. My immediate reaction wasn't overwhelming, it was really something I had to adjust to. The second time I listened to the album though, something clicked and I began to really appreciate it.

The most obviously awesome thing about "Dear You" is that is is soaking in catchy hooks, while still maintaining a distinct sound that doesn't reserve itself to standard pop. It is not a pop album, though it is hard to nail it down with any genre. Jawbreaker are historically a punk band and there is certainly a gritty punk edge to the music, but there is some pop influence in it, a little emo. Whatever you want to call it, though, it is solid. It has epic climaxes (i.e. the last few bars of Sluttering (May 4th), the first chorus of Accident Prone, and the intro of Bad Scene, Everyone's Fault, to name a few) and a strong mix of high moments and low moments. Its an album that feels like the order of the songs and the general progression of feelings is really deliberate. This may be because it was done just that way, or because the songs are just so strong that it feels that way.

The highlight on repeated listens though, has to be the lyrics. There isn't a line on the entire album I don't like, or would change at all. Blake's lyrics have a way to draw attention to themselves in a very good way. The themes of the songs are different, to keep it interesting, but each emotion and story told is clearly heartfelt and with certain poetry that I struggle to find anything to compare it to.

If you haven't heard "Dear You," you must. Listen to it three or four times, start to finish, and listen close.

Name your top 10 most played bands on Last.fm:
1. The Decemberists
2. Bob Dylan
3. Elliott Smith
4. Corrina Repp
5. M. Ward
6. Johnny Cash
7. Quasi
8. Andrew Bird
9. Wilco
10. Roger Waters

Now answer the questions according to the numbers:

-- what was the first song you ever heard by 6?
Probably Ring of Fire

-- what is your favourite album of 2?
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

-- what is your favourite lyric that 5 has sung?
Fuel for Fire has some beautiful lyrics.

-- how many times have you seen 4 live?
Never, unfortunately. She sticks to Portland.

-- what is your favourite song by 7?
I would have to say I Never Want to See You Again

-- what is a good memory you have considering the music of 10?
My dad introduced me to Roger and Pink Floyd when I was only bout three or four. He had bought my brother a cassette tape of Dark Side of the Moon for his walkman, which I took and my dad showed me how to work... good stuff.

-- is there a song of 3 that makes you sad?
Many many many songs of his make me sad, but kind of happy, too. I think his saddest song is A Fond Farewell

-- what is your favourite lyric that 2 has sung?
It's impossible to pick a single Dylan lyric. I love the story in Tangled Up in Blue. I think I'm going to go with the brilliant political song With God On Our Side

-- what is your favourite song by 9?
That would have to be Can't Stand It

-- how did you get in to 3?
My close friend Eric gave me a list of songs to download ages ago, among them was Say Yes

-- what was the first song you heard by 1?
That would be Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect. I was introduced by someone from a Nirvana message board, oddly.

-- what is your favourite song by 4?
I adore I'll Walk You Out as well as They Sang The Solo

-- how many time have you seen 9 live?
Haven't had the chance yet. Someday!

-- what is a good memory you have concerning 2?
There isn't a particularly poignant memory, although I do remember when I bought my first album of his, Blood on the Tracks

-- is there a song of 8 that makes you sad?
I haven't heard any really sad Andrew Bird songs yet.

-- what is your favourite album of 5?
I have only heard his last two, but I would say Transistor Radio

-- what is your favourite lyric that 3 has sung?
That's impossible to answer.

-- what is your favourite song of 1?
As of right now, Constantinople

-- what is your favourite song of 10?
As a solo artist, Amused to Death

-- how many times have you seen 8 live?
Once, at the Intonation Festival in July of 2005. Brilliant.

-- what is your favourite album of 1?
That would be Picaresque... they keep on getting better.

-- what is a great memory you have considering 9?
The first time I heard thme, probably. I believe it was actually on Jay Leno's show, they played Jesus, Etc.

So! It is time for the top ten, which I have contemplated for some time. Here you are.

10. Architecture in Helsinki - In Case We Die
Highlight Track: It'5!
9. Lou Barlow - Emoh
Highlight Track: Holding Back the Year
8. Nedelle - From the Lion's Mouth
Highlight Track: Begin to Breathe
7. Frank Black - Honeycomb
Highlight Track: Sing For Joy
6. Stephen Malkmus - Face the Truth
Highlight Track: Freeze the Saints
5. Vashti Bunyan - Lookaftering
Highlight Track: Lately
4. Sleater-Kinney - The Woods
Highlight Track: Entertain
3. Andrew Bird - Andrew Bird and the Mysterious Production of Eggs
Highlight Track: Measuring Cups
2. M. Ward - Transistor Radio
Highlight Track: Radio Campaign
1. The Decemberists - Picaresque
Highlight Track: The Engine Driver

Thanks for stopping by, 2005!

Yeah. I said it.

Frank Black is better than the Pixies.

I am still recovering from a long endeavour of seeing The Decemberists live at the Metro. The trip to and from the venue was tumultuous, but the actual show was absolutely wonderful. The opening act, Cass McCombs, were genuinely adorable and I enjoyed their performance very much. The headlining Decemberists were as wonderful as I could have hoped, and then some. They even surpassed their performance at the Intonation Festival, I'd say, and I left with a big smile on my face that keeps coming back.