Today's Track - Jamie Cullum & Clint Eastwood: "Gran Torino"

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it Tom Waits? No, it is none of the above; though, upon first hearing the song, I was convinced the grumbling vocals at the beginning of this song were the works of the third of the previous three options. But it wasn't - it's Clint Eastwood, who directed, produced and starred in the film from which this song is taken, Gran Torino. It's a deeply moving film, one I sincerely recommend to anyone who, well, has ever seen a movie.
Once Eastwood finishes his verse, Jamie Cullum ably takes over vocal duties in this piano-based piece, which details one man's love for his motor vehicle, which, in turn, details his appreciation for anything that can make one happy and feel a sense of life being worthwhile.

Trust me, you'll be feeling as sentimental as I'm writing after listening to this song.

"Sugarcube" - Playlist Series

As you may have gathered from this blog, I like songs. What's better than a song, though, is a collection of songs - mixtape, playlist, compilation, whatever you wish (I'll stick to playlist). What's better than a playlist, though, is making a playlist. And do I like making playlists or what.
And so, welcome to the Playlist Series, where I share my playlists, whether they be carefully thought out groups of songs of a similar emotional nature, or merely a few miscellaneous tracks which sound nice when played in a row. The first of this series is also perhaps the first 'official' playlist I made. Sugarcube is its name, and I created it last year sometime. I picked the songs; they sounded pretty good together. It hasn't changed much since its birth, but in the time between that seminal event and now, I have come to learn a lot about it, and learn why exactly it appeals to me. It's sweet; it's sugary (hence the title). It's largely a joyous affair; sonically, it's easy on the ear. It works. And, it goes as follows:

1. BEIRUT - Nantes
2. YO LA TENGO - Sugarcube
3. OKKERVIL RIVER - Lost Coastlines
4. THE BEATLES - Here Comes the Sun
5. SAM COOKE - Wonderful World
6. PAVEMENT - Range Life
7. CAT POWER - Good Woman
8. CONOR OBERST - Souled Out!!!
9. CAMERA OBSCURA - Come Back Margaret
10. PETER BJORN AND JOHN - Up Against the Wall
11. JENS LEKMAN - Your Arms Around Me
12. SUFJAN STEVENS - The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!
13. BEN LEE - Apple Candy
14. THE GO-BETWEENS - Cattle and Cane
15. NICK DRAKE - Pink Moon
16. BRIGHT EYES - Bowl of Oranges

Today's (other) Track - Bob Evans: "Power of Speech"

I've had Bob Evans' 'Goodnight, Bull Creek!' album for almost three months now, but during this time, I haven't been able to select a single track which stands alone as being 'the best'. So, quite fed up of trying to decide, I've picked 'Power of Speech' in (shock!) quite a rational decision. However, a bit of history for you first:
Bob Evans, to me, represents everything 2006 - his 'Suburban Songbook' album was played endlessly during that year, my final one of primary school. (Oh, the cheese I'm about to write of!) Now, I realise why. The album was based on the joys and general happenings of living in the suburbs, and it was in that very place (well, in one of the thousands of Australian suburbs - Prospect) where I spent all of my primary school life. Everyone lived in Prospect, everything happened in Prospect. How simple life was back then. Now, being a high school student, it's not that my life's better or worse - it's just different. Very different.
'Goodnight, Bull Creek!', released this year, brings me back to those 'other' times, and it's an album hard not to love. It's consistent - way more so than I was expecting, I must admit. It's catchy, it's emotional, it rocks hard, tones down, then turns it back up, it rejoices the seasons; but, best of all, it's easy to relate to. Evans discusses the notion of leaving the suburbs for the city in 'Somewhere So Much', the album's lead single. 'Hand Me Downs' is about how everyone still has a bit of their childhood remaining with them, or even on them, as he sings that he wears "the same stuff as I did in '98".
Musically, it's more of a 'band' album than his previous efforts. This was a good move on his part - a recent influx of corny male singer-songwriters of little talent (cough Jason Mraz) have put me off a lot of acoustic music. Bob Evans is not one of these, and this was demonstrated best when I saw him live a week back. Electric guitar solos, band jams, and his clearly large intake of red wine, transformed him into Bob Evans The Rockstar, instead of Bob Evans, Mum's Crush.
If there's a lone dud on the album (which is equally as hard to select as a lone standout), it's the final track, 'Everything Goes', which features only him, a few finger picked guitars and flute. Although it is of decent quality, it does feel a tad out of place; not to worry, there are ten other tracks which do feel in place, including a few which are more mellow than metal (well, to be honest, nothing on this album is even remotely like metal. The volume's not at all set at 11; it's probably just been turned up from 5 to 7. But I'm desperately trying to avoid calling it 'country rock', so I'll settle with 'up-tempo pop'). One such track is 'Power of Speech', Evans' take on Bossa Nova, which is suprisingly sweet yet slightly seductive.
I'm getting to the point now where I'm rambling about everything and nothing. So, to finish off: trust me, 'Goodnight Bull Creek!' is a great album. And, remember, turn the stereo up loud (well, to about 7) just as Bob Evans did.

Today's Track - The Rural Alberta Advantage: "Don't Haunt This Place"

I can't recall exactly where I first heard of this band. Hmmm. Probably Pitchfork. Well, I've heard a fair bit about them since - hailing from Canada, the band wrote their debut 'Hometowns' early last year and, throughout the remainder of the year, copies of the album floated around the streets and web. However, Saddle Creek will be officially releaseing the album in July. The band sing about, without too much guesswork involved, the advantage of growing up in Alberta (once again, without hours of interpretation and analysis, a largely rural town). Without the drums, this song would be a generally Whitney-esque ballad (read: boring). However, we don't need to stress; the drums are there, play after play. They add something, something enchanting, to the song. Apart from causing it to sound faster than it would otherwise, their inclusion highlights the other elements of the song - the organ, string arrangement, harmonies - and make them more interesting. Why, though? I don't know; this theory doesn't make much sense to me, either.
The female backing vocals too are great, and cause this song to bear a slight resemblance to the Decemberists' 'Yankee Bayonet', with Laura Veirs - which can only be a good thing, given the huge number of plays it's recieved on my itunes.
I don't think it'll be long until 'Don't Haunt This Place' catches up, though.

Today's Track - Dinosaur Jr: "I Want You To Know"

This being the lone Dinosaur Jr song I own or have heard, I have very little to base it on. Apparently, they've been around for a while, and, judging by this song, they rock hard. Very hard indeed. This song can't be played quietly - it demands your full attention; it certainly deserves it anyway.
Vocals - respectable; chord progression - a tad unoriginal (but who's counting?); sing along chorus - sing-along-able (read: amazing); guitar solos - swell. There's nothing overly unique about the song; it just works so damn well.