I’ve never had a road manager/booking guy who’s an accomplished musician as well. It certainly has its perks. Besides having strong hands for those massages that are in my rider.
Micah listens to a lot more music than I do. For a musician, I spend far too much of my car time in silence or listening to Dan Patrick and This American Life. So I need friends who listen wider and frequently if I have any hope of staying musically inspired. Micah has been just such a friend.
Recently, Micah introduced me to a British band one reviewer called “Coldplay it’s OK to like.” (I didn’t know it wasn’t OK to like Colplay. See how far behind I am? Obviously.) The band’s name is Elbow and they have consistently (for five albums now) created layered alternative music one critic called “sentimental rock.” I agree. Very sentimental, moving, personal, emotive. Gorgeous.
Check out one of my favorites from Elbow. “Lippy Kids” from the album Build A Rocket Boys!.
Lippy kids on the corner again
Lippy kids on the corner begin
Settling like crows
Though I never perfected the simian stroll
The cigarette senate was everything thenDo they know those days are golden?
Build a rocket boys
Build a rocket boys!One long June
I came down from the trees
and kerbstone cool
You were a freshly painted angel
Walking on walls
Stealing booze and hour-long hungry kisses
And nobody knew me at home anymoreBuild a rocket boys!
Build a rocket boys
Build a rocket boys!Lippy kids on the corner again
Lippy kids on the corner begin
Settling like crows
And I never effected that simian stroll
NoDo they know those days are golden?
Build a rocket boys
Build a rocket boys!One long June
I came down from the trees
And kerbstone cool
You were a freshly painted angel
Walking on walls
Stealing booze and hour-long hungry kisses
And nobody knows me at home anymoreBuild a rocket boys!
Build a rocket boys
Build a rocket boys!
What new music have you recently discovered?
Dustin says:
I really like this band, I have heard a few of their songs used with various videos before… and that sent me a mission to find out who it was. Good stuff. My 24 year-old brother-in-law is a musician and serves in that role for me … he keeps me up to speed on new bands…and reminds me how old I am.
Lindsay says:
Ah, the British. I love them.
Sassiekiwi says:
That is gorgeous … I love the way they allow the mustic to breathe …
The other night I was watching “Smash” and I was absolutely transfixed by this Snow Patrol Cover of run by Katharine McPhee. Her vocals left me with goosebumps … the way she gets expression is awe inspiring … I couldn’t stop playing it yesterday and then its been in my head as well :0
Kathy says:
Elbow! I forgot about them. I used to listen to them when I first moved to NY. I’m glad they’re still cool.
supersimbo says:
we love Elbow – saw them live in Belfast last august – hands down, one of the best gigs iv ever been to………
Katie Axelson says:
I bought three CDs in 2011 (yes, TWS being one of them), and as much as I love those three, it’s time for some new tunes. Thanks for this suggestion.
Katie
Zoë says:
I hadn’t heard that song before. It is beautiful. This is Rumer. Her voice could polish rocks:
Link
And the less well-known Amy Wadge and Pete Riley, who we have tickets for next month (but no babysitter as yet…). Not as polished as Elbow or Rumer, but they have a certain charm 🙂
Link
shayne says:
Reminds me a little of Peter Gabriel.
I don’t fully understand the lyrics…but I like it.