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The Best Songs of 2010: #9: “Infinite Arms” by Band of Horses

21 Dec

Who else cannot help but think of the haunting repetition of “number 9” in The Beatles’ “Revolution 9” when they look above at this route 9 photo. If that thought crossed your mind you are in the right place. We are moving on to the #9 song of the year.

Song: “Infinite Arms”

Band: Band of Horses

They just look like they are from Seattle. Oh, they are? Well, that was no surprise. I don’t say that as a negative at all. There is something about Seattle, Washington that breeds great bands. I pondered this unproven statistic once (even though it is practically proven in my mind). My conclusion? The coffee and the rain. It is an upper and a downer. The juxtaposition must engender beautiful musical concoctions. And while Infinite Arms (where the same-named track we are discussing appears) was mostly recorded in North Carolina, it certainly sounds like they carried some Seattle spirit with them.

The band released Infinite Arms in May to critical acclaim. It was the third album released by this Indie band. While Band of Horses euphonious style of vocal harmonies shined on their first release in 2006 (which featured “The Funeral”), I believe that this album highlighted a sense of band maturity. A big reason for this is that the band is finally whole. Lead vocalist Ben Bridwell and his band expanded to include guitarist Tyler Ramsey and bassist Bill Reynolds. Keyboardist Ryan Monroe was made a permanent band member. The new members impact on the album was invaluable. They helped create the exceptional sound of the #9 song of the year.

Does the beginning of the song sound familiar? It is very similar to David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” (I believe the opening chords for “Infinite Arms” are an F and Em7 while Bowie plays a Fmaj7 and an Em. Variations of F and E) The repetitive chords are then put in the background and Bridwell’s voice shines. His voice is passionate and he is able to control it. It does display a hint of western charm.

The band lives on vocal harmony. That is how they evoke their feelings. And, they have always done this well. But, by adding more instruments they have created an even more dynamic presence on stage. Now they pair more complex instrumentation with their harmonies. This provides a sound that hits you on multiple levels. This is why “Infinite Arms” works. The end of the song features the combination and it sounds like the puzzle pieces have been put together. It is form fitting. The song then fades beautifully.

I’d also like to highlight a specific lyric. As you know I am a sucker for great lyrics. That is my ultimate favorite. I am a word person.

“These mended bones
The storms approach
Ever so slowly
Out on the sea
There’s an animal below me
lack of control
Others came before me
Others to come, to come
When my thoughts drift to you”

If we presume that this song is about death and memory, Bridwell chooses an interesting way to frame the lyric. I do believe that it works. And the repetition throughout the song of “when my thoughts drift to you” is fantastic. The song is well deserving of the #9 title.

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The Best Songs of 2010: #10: “Excuses” by The Morning Benders

20 Dec

How can you not like number graphics?

And it officially begins. Today is December 20. By December 30 the mystery will be unraveled and the Music Court’s top 10 songs of the year will be revealed. People love lists. Seriously, if I devoted this entire blog to “Best-Of Lists” I would gain a tremendous amount of viewers. For the next 10 days (excluding Sunday the 26) I will list a song a day from today’s #10 to Dec. 30 #1. Let us begin with #10.

Song: “Excuses”

Artist: The Morning Benders

I have been trying to put my finger on what “Excuses” by The Morning Benders sounds like. Well, the #10 song on our list was released in March of 2010 and co-produced by Grizzly Bear bassist Chris Taylor. The Grizzly Bear influence is evident. The song is what happens when you put Spector’s “Wall of Sound” concept and late 60’s light, melodic, British psychedelia into a particle collider and let them hit each other at such a rapid speed that it bends time and travels 40 years and penetrates lead singer Chris Chu. The melodic hook in this song is beyond wonderful…it’s eery.

This is a 5-minute work of genius. Notice how we immediately are introduced to a wacky string section that already hits us with the Grizzly Bear sound. And when they erupt into the acoustic chords and normal string section it is as if we have been sent back in time. The string coordination is beautiful. Chris Chu’s voice appears in the first verse and, just like an ocean wave, douses listeners with water infused with vocal goodness. The harmony prior to the chorus is so British harmonizing it is absolutely scary. The lyric is not shabby either.

The breakdown extends the song’s infectiousness. We have another one that sticks. And, in typical “Wall of Sound” fashion, the breakdown slowly rises into this ultimate crescendo that leads into the powerful last verse where it seems like several voices are pounding into listeners. After listening to the song I felt drenched. This piece starts off our Top 10 well. And, as you can imagine, if this is #10 we have a solid list and 10 days ahead of us. See you all tomorrow.

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The Best Songs of 2010: Sneak Peak – Number 11: “Tighten Up” by The Black Keys

14 Dec

Last year at around this time in December I was summing up a decade of music. Today premieres a preview of the top songs of 2010, a post category that will run from December 20 – December 30 (Skipping the Sunday in between). Each day will feature a different song in a running countdown to the best song of 2010. Please understand this disclaimer. All opinions expressed in this list (especially order of songs) are opinions. That’s right. So, if you have another song that you believe deserved a spot, post it in a comment and let’s talk. Also, be nice. It’s New Years and Christmas and overall merriment should be the pervasive thought during this season.

Anyway, before I travel home tomorrow (today marked the official end of Fall semester of my senior year at Binghamton University), I wanted to leave you with the #11 song on my 2010 countdown. The list is made up of 11 songs to mark our transition into 2011 and to hold true to the “one for good luck” axiom. I know. Aren’t I witty? Okay, not really. Let’s get to some music.

#11.) “Tighten Up” by The Black Keys

We kick off our list with a song about a dinosaur. Well, no, it’s not about a dinosaur, but Frank, the Black Keys’ puppet dinosaur, does star in the video for this catchy rock tune. Take a listen:

Yes, Frank is infectious, but so is the opening whistle, catchy riff, excellent bass and drum portion (Pat Carney at his best). The song is excellently put together, clean, but rugged. The mini-solo that repeats throughout the song serves as a shaking breakdown (or Frank dance portion). Because, as we all know, Frank is a Funkasaurus Rex.

The song, not to be confused with Archie Bell and The Drell’s “Tighten Up” from 1968 – because who in the world would confuse a Black Keys song with Archie Bell’s awesome hit – appeared on The Black Keys’ release Brothers (May 18, 2010). The song was created by The Black Keys and Brian Burton, a.k.a Danger Mouse (who actually makes several appearances on our list through numerous different projects).

As guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach told The Sun, “That was the last song we did for the record. We had a couple of days off and so did Brian (Danger Mouse) and since we are friends and like hanging out with each other we thought it would be fun to go into the studio and see if we could come up with a tune. We always have a blast when the three of us get together.”

The result was a rock hit that fuses pop and the Keys’ trademark gritty style. Also, let us not forget Auerbach’s vocal which is trademark Keys, bluesy and upbeat. The end of the song definitely shows some Danger Mouse influence, as the song slowly moves into an odd techno, robotic beat and cuts out.

I think the songs greatest strength is in its simplicity. That, and Frank, mark it as #11 on our countdown. Tune your dials to The Music Court on December 20 where we will pick up with #10. I will be back posting on Thursday. Wish me happy traveling tomorrow (and hopefully none of that white stuff)

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Hanukkah…And All That Jazz

1 Dec

Why? Because it is incredibly cute. This is what Hanukkah is all about.

 

I’m Jewish. Perhaps the most consistent question I am asked in regards to Hannukah is: How the heck do you spell it?

Hanukkah. Spell it like that. The Chanukah spelling is the Romanized version. Or, better yet, just spell it like this:

The Festival of Lights.

See how much clearer and English that is. Yes, most people’s knowledge of Hanukkah is limited to Adam Sandler‘s Hanukkah description. “Instead of one day of presents, we get eight crazy nights.”

And, that’s about it. Just kidding. Hanukkah celebrates the exceptional burning of candles for eight night. That’s right, the candles burned for eight days. What many people do not know is that Hanukkah has some serious historical undertones. Well, religious history. Here is the very, very, very condensed, one sentence version.

Jews outlawed, fight and than re-dedicate temple (Hanukkah comes from the Hebrew verb to dedicate). Do you want something a little more detailed? Check this out: http://www.theholidayspot.com/hanukkah/history.htm

Now, what do people generally think of when you say Hanukkah. Dreidels come up, or, that spinning top thing with the weird letters on each side. Or, this:

This is just too funny

And, what’s better than some jazzy swingin’ dreidel.

Kenny Ellis is a jazz/big-band performer who makes Hanukkah songs, like the one above. This Philadelphia native makes some pretty awesome Hanukkah hits, and while you light the first candle, eat some latkas and spin the dreidel tonight…enjoy this unconventional dreidel song. And, if you are not Jewish, you still have a little time until Christmas or Kwanzaa, so celebrate with us!

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Happy Election Day

2 Nov

Note: The song starts at one minute but I suggest listening to Roger McGuinn’s great opening talk.

November 2nd. A great day for democracy. Where every citizen of the United States has a chance to vote for the candidate they believe will represent their beliefs the best. And, as people from the gargantuan skyscrapers of New York City to the bucolic prairies of the Midwest make it to the polls, I am about to get dressed and go to class.

But, not before I post this fabulous piece by Roger McGuinn and Jacques Levy. Little fun fact. Jacques Levy also co-wrote “Hurricane” with Bob Dylan. Is that important to this post? No. But, in case you were wondering, there you are. McGuinn and Levy pulled “I Wanna Grow Up To Be A Politician” from a failed Broadway play that the two were writing. It tells the tale of Gene Tryp and his running for president of the United States. Byrdmaniax, which was released in 1971 with a line-up of McGuinn, Clarence White, Gene Parsons and Skip Battin, also features “Kathleen’s Song” a song about Gene Tryp’s lover waiting for him to come home from his travels.

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