Today's Track - Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band: "Spoiled"

After watching the oh-so-arty documentary which was released last month about the creation of Conor Oberst's new band and album, I was very much looking forward to listening to the new material. Last year's self-titled release by Conor Oberst was one of my favourite albums of the 2008; however, I don't seem to think that his new album will be in that list for this year. The album drags on. And on. And on. The songs are boring, and there are too many fillers as such. Though, this does make some sense - a majority of the new songs were written while on the road in order to fill in time at the shows.
As the media have been crying on about, the songwriting and vocal duties are shared around between the band members. You know you're desperate for songs when you get your drummer, of all people, to write a few. (Well, not necessarily - the songs by the drummer and bass player are far better than 'Air Mattress,' some category of indie-twee jingle, by guitarist Nate Walcott). However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel - the songs actually written by Oberst are actually quite decent, and 'Spoiled' is, in my opinion, the album's finest moment. Jangly guitars open this track, which according to Pitchfork, is rather REM-esque. Hmm. I've managed to avoid thinking about 'Everybody Hurts' this year, up until now. There goes that.
Without knowing any technical terms for the components of a song, I am left saying that this song seems to have two separate choruses. I like the first one better, whatever it is called. The second one is a bit Oberst-cliche, with the same chord progression being used in a large number of his other songs.
His voice sounds very strained at the end of the first chorus, as I call it. However, this short alteration in vocal ability seems completely insignificant and overall, quite forgettable after you have been overjoyed by the short but sweet guitar solo and the drum fills, which are very pleasing. Very pleasing indeed.

Today's Track - The Dirty Projectors: "Stillness Is The Move"

A rather minimalistic song, 'Stillness Is The Move' bears a close resemblance to Amerie's 'One Thing' from a few years back. The strong sense of percussion is prevalent throughout the track, and the vocals go high and wide, comparative to the sort of vocal aerobics demonstrated by the wannabes on Australian Idol. However, unlike the singles of those wannabes, this track actually rocks. This single will sell three and a half million copies and win a Grammy. Well, it should; not to say it will get even close. Chances are, the song won't appeal to or be heard by the masses, but it will be downloaded and played by the indiekids of the web. And what lucky indiekids we are.