Albums That You Should Own, But Perhaps Don't (And In That Case, You Soon Will): Hayden - Elk-Lake Serenade

Hayden - Elk-Lake Serenade

Paul Hayden Desser has the sort of sleepy, melancholic mumble that's normally associated with wintry folk music—all hibernal and low-toned. But on 2004's Elk-Lake Serenade, the seasons evoked are those of early spring and midsummer; the sleepiness in his baritone not from a need to turn in for the night, but rather from having just woken up from an afternoon nap.

This quality makes Elk-Lake Serenade an unlikely warm-weather album, although one more tepid than scorching.

The clever orchestration helps keep the whole affair from being downright somnolent, whether it be the swelling strings on the album opener, "Wide Eyes"; the pedal steel on "Home by Saturday"; or the harmonica on "Woody", a charming song about Desser's cat's springtime journeys through the back yard.

Other standouts are "Hollywood Ending" with its infectious "Ba da da da da da" chorus and trumpet flares; "Killbear" mournfully retells the mauling of an ex-lover by a bear; country-folk ballad "Robbed Blind" culminates with hand-claps, harmonica, and a simple electric guitar line; and "My Wife" throws you for a loop with an unexpected synthesizer hook.

Open the windows, let the warming rays of the Sun in, and take Elk-Lake Serenade for a post-lunch early afternoon spin.

Enjoy:

See Also: ATYSOBPDAITCYSW: The Label!

Christina Aguilera Wants To Win The Bazookaluca Worst Album Cover Of The Year Award. Bad.

'Cause it's called Bionic. Get it?

See also:

Still, she's gonna have to do worse than that if she wants to defeat Brooke Hogan for Worst Album Cover Ever.

[Christina Aguilera]

Health Care Reform Passes

James Fallows of The Atlantic sums up the meaning of the greatest progressive victory in 45 years:

"For now, the significance of the vote is moving the United States FROM a system in which people can assume they will have health coverage IF they are old enough (Medicare), poor enough (Medicaid), fortunate enough (working for an employer that offers coverage, or able themselves to bear expenses), or in some other way specially positioned (veterans; elected officials)... TOWARD a system in which people can assume they will have health-care coverage. Period."

Andrew Sullivan bolsters Obama's resolve:

"He still wants to rebuild the American economy from the ground up, re-regulate Wall Street, withdraw from Iraq, win in Afghanistan, get universal health insurance and achieve a two-state solution in Israel/Palestine in his first term. That’s all. And although you can see many small failures on the way, and agonizing slowness as well, you can also see he hasn’t dropped his determination to achieve it all."

Batman. Lightsaber. Shark. Awesome.

[Via the internet.]

Brakes' "I Heard About Your Band" Still Epitomizes Every Conversation I've Ever Had With A Scenester

Sure, the bands referenced in this song are sooo 2005, but the sentiment lives on.

Google Autocomplete Is The Only Public Opinion Poll I Need

Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous Has Died

Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse has died. His family released this statement today:

It is with great sadness that we share the news that our dear friend and family member, Mark Linkous, took his own life today, we are thankful for his time with us and will hold him forever in our hearts. May his journey be peaceful, happy and free. There’s a heaven and there’s a star for you.

The 1995 Sparklehorse album vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot is one of my personal favorites and was slated to be a part of my Albums You Should Own, But Perhaps Don't (And In That Case, You Soon Will) series.

His publicist confirms he was nearly finished with a new album that was due on Anti- Records.

Mark suffered from a long battle with depression and substance abuse. He's already missed.

Rise Above: Your New National Anthem

"The Star Spangled Banner" is a great anthem, but I think Black Flag's "Rise Above" would make a better one.

It eulogizes the history, tradition and struggles of the American people much better than some bullshit song about the Battle of Baltimore. I bet 9 out of 10 Americans don't even know dick about the War of 1812, so why should their anthem reminisce about it?

Just listen:


It's fucking perfect. Defiance, anger, initiative, reverie, zeal, Rollins—these things are as American as herpes and hot dogs.

Done and done.

**Stipulation**

I don't care if it's before the Super Bowl, the World Series, or a Presidential inauguration—no one, and I mean NO ONE, from American Idol should ever be allowed to sing it. EVER. This transgression shall be punishable by death and dismemberment.

BONUS NEW ANTHEMS

United Kingdom


Italy


France

Albums That You Should Own, But Perhaps Don't (And In That Case, You Soon Will): Eef Barzelay - Bitter Honey

Eef Barzelay - Bitter Honey

Clem Snide frontman Eef Barzelay's debut album is probably his best work—solo or otherwise. Accompanied only by his acoustic guitar, the songs gleam despite being unadorned, showcasing in full his deft songwriting and distinct voice.

Eef's move to Nashville a year or so before recording Bitter Honey in 2005 had a noticeable influence on his work, as several of the songs are infused with Hank Williams-like simplicity and the plainspoken romanticism of country music of old.

Bitter Honey makes the simple, beautifully simple. And that's harder than hell to do.

Enjoy:

See Also: ATYSOBPDAITCYSW: The Label!