Laura Marling - “Alpha Shallows” “I should have left when M did. I don't know why I didn't. That's not true. I stayed because it was easier. I knew the cupboards, the doorways. I could write there. The day they announced the change, I was finishing the third chapter. It had been the easiest chapter. On the news they said they were changing everything, changing the way things worked, changing it so we were not paid on sunny days. We would only be paid if it rained. It didn't seem so bad. It seemed different. We all wanted difference. So on clear days we'd be poor; on rainy days, we'd be rich. I didn't think it'd matter. I worked in my room. I squinted at the sun. I watched the streets fill with people, praying for storms. I wrote you letters. I wrote, I hope we all drown.” [buy]

Clogs - “Last Song” “Last Song” does not sound like a last song. "Last Song" is too slow. (The lastest songs come fast.) Rather, this is a song that sounds like it's trying to postpone an ending. The National's Matt Berninger decelerates with every syllable he sings. Momentum dissipates with every phrase, every pause. Perhaps he can bring the song to a dead stop. Perhaps he can keep it from quite ending. [buy]

image source

personae:
Huey - black bear
June - black bear

[In a cozy log cabin, with a fire slowly dying in its place. Deep, knotted, gorgeous wood walls, with crude paintings in lovely frames. A human skin rug, a mounted hunter (with rifle) on the wall above the mantle. Candles are burning almost down to their holders. In a large plush bed, Huey and June are having sex.]

June: Huey, what are you thinking?

Huey: Hm?

June: Your mind is somewhere else.

Huey: No it isn't. I'm right here.

June: No, you're not, look at me.

Huey: (giggling) that's weird.

June: What is? Looking at me?

Huey: While we're..(giggling)

Continue reading at Said the Gramophone →

[Buy]

Alphabeat @ Santos Party House 3/23/2010
The Spell / Always Up With You / DJ / The Beat Is / Boyfriend / Heatwave / Hole In My Heart / Fascination

For a headlining gig, this set was way too short, and they skipped most of their best songs. (“What Is Happening?,” “Fantastic 6,” “Chess,” etc.) After a few years of waiting for Alphabeat to play NYC, these factors made it a disappointing show for me. That said, I can’t fault their actual performance, which was tight, high energy, and exciting. They’re wonderful hams, and they riled up an already-excitable crowd. They may not be playing all of their best material, but they are giving it their all, and I appreciated that. Also, I probably don’t need to say something so obvious, but “Fascination” is quite a thrill in concert.

Alphabeat - “Heatwave” Of all the late ’80s/early ’90s pastiches on the second Alphabeat record, “Heatwave” is the most successful, and the one I reckon would’ve been the biggest hit in that time period. It’s certainly the song that best flatters Stine Bramsen’s diva act, mainly because its assertive, high-energy arrangement matches the impact of her vocal performance. It’s the kind of song where the hooks just seem to explode over and over again rapidly, like the grand finale of a fireworks display. The lyrics suit the mood, describing the overwhelming feeling of being around someone you like so much that it makes every moment seem unreal and too good to be true. Alphabeat excel at creating this feeling of impossible excitement and romance, and this is one of their finest tracks to date.

Buy it as an expensive import from Amazon.

The Ruby Suns – “Closet Astrologer” From the kiwi poppers’ new record Fight Softly, out now on Sub Pop.

The Tallest Man on Earth – “Burden of Tomorrow” From the Swedish musician’s new full-length, The Wild Hunt, out 4/13 on Dead Oceans. Pre-order it now and get a free instant download, plus (while supplies last) a copy of his limited-edition “King of Spain” tour single.

NPR is streaming last night's Joanna Newsom Washington performance.

Flavorwire offers "music review cliche" bingo cards.

Singer-songwriter Tift Merritt talks to the Fayetteville Observer about her North Carolina roots.

Speakeasy lists eight bands you may have missed from SXSW 2010.

The Detroit Free Press interviews Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara.

BBC News profiles Iran's underground rock scene.

Philadelphia Weekly explores the city's burgeoning neo-folk music scene.

Broken Social Scene is streaming two songs from its forthcoming Forgiveness Rock Record album (out May 4th) on the band's website.