Certain Songs

Like the song says, certain songs get so scratched into your soul. Matt Pond PA's 'Halloween' is one of those songs. That song just found me at a time in my life where the world was a bit askew and those lyrics sounded eerily like the voice inside my head at the time. Serendipity, musically speaking.

And that one song has made me latch on to Matt Pond PA to a certain degree. I will buy everything they ever release forever more. It's a weird music geek bond that I have established with the band, and it can not be broken. So I am super excited to hear that the band's latest record, 'The Dark Leaves' will be out everywhere on April 6th...here is a track to from the record...it's big and emotional and unapologetic....i love it.


* 'Remains' MP3

How sweet of the guys in Matt Pond PA to bestow upon all of us a beautiful new, totally free Ep...slickly titled The Freeep.

Download all nine tracks here:

http://www.mattpondpa.com/?page_id=41

In honor of their kindness, I wanted to share a song form The Freeep, as well as one of my favorite songs off of 2007's brilliant 'Last Light'

Matt Pond PA - 'Amazing Life' MP3

Matt Pond PA - 'Sunlight' MP3

Matt Pond PA - 'Halloween' MP3

Just passing along the new MP PA clip for 'Locate The Pieces'...i dig the cool animation!

Tis the season. Money and free time are in short supply this time of year it seems, due to the impending holidays. And with that being the case, I feel pretty OK with listing my favorites of the last 320 days or so, seeing as how I won't be going to many more shows(stupid presents) or having time to listen to newly released records. Plus I am a sucker for a list.

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FAVORITE Albums Of 2007

GRAND CHAMPION - White Stripes - 'Icky Thump' * The King and Queen of rock n roll have reclaimed their thrones.

THE NEXT BEST NINE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
* Low - 'Drums And Guns'
* Band Of Horses - 'Cease To Begin'
* Wilco - 'Sky Blue Sky'
* Matt Nathanson - 'Some Mad Hope'
* Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - 'Living With The Living'
* Arcade Fire - 'Neon Bible'
* Rilo Kiley - 'Under The Blacklight'
* Matt Pond PA - 'Last Light'
* Kings Of Leon - 'Because Of The Times'

Most Amazing Live Music Experiences

GRAND CHAMPION - Pearl Jam @ Lollapalooza - Best beginning to a new life ever. Pearl Jam's set was equal parts nostalgia and inspiration. It was a 'watershed moment in my life' kinda night.

THE NEXT BEST NINE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
* Cat Power @ The Avalon
* The Hold Steady/Thermals show @ The Newport Music Hall, St Patrick's Day
* My Morning Jacket @ Lolla
* Crowded House @ Coachella
* The Jesus And Mary Chain and Scarlett Johansen @ Coachella
* The Teddybears @ Coachella
* Girl Talk @ the Wexner Center
* Swell Season @ The Wiltern
* The Hold Steady @ The Music Box

Favorite Songs Of The Year

GRAND CHAMPION - 'Effect And Cause' * The White Stripes.

NEXT BEST NINE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
* Buck 65 - '1957'
* Ween - 'Your Party'
* Matt Pond PA - 'Sunlight
* Beirut - 'Nantes'
* Matt Nathanson - 'Sooner Surrender'
* Band Of Horses - 'The General Specific'
* Low - 'Hatchet'
* Jesca Hoop- 'Summertime'
* Rufus Wainwright - 'Slidewhow'

Peace and I'm outta here

b

I was talking with friends about 'Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind Today'....so I am blaming the romanticism of the day's selection on that. Here is today's post and song, a star crossed lovers edition...i set the song to Edward Scissorhands...just because it's an all timer for me, and I think Ed is the original 'emo kid'

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You'll always have a special spot in my heart - w4m - 30

Even though that long and winding road that leads to your door has seemed to disappear, the pool of tears is drying up. Sadness and Bitterness packed their bags and moved on leaving a sense of happiness behind. I'm glad you are moving on with your life and will always wish you the best no matter what. Your impact upon my heart will always be felt. Of course there is always going to be a what if but hey thats to be expected when you walk away from your soul mate right? If it was meant to be we'll meet again later on in life sans road blocks, if not then at least I learned that angels do walk amongst us because i was once in the arms of one. Love you :)

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I think I have found my favorite Los Angeles venue so far. I already loved the Troubadour before ever setting foot inside of the place, just knowing it's history and the legendary list of people who have played there. But once inside, it just got so much better. Such a fan friendly set up...and the sound was perfect all night.

Jesca Hoop opened the show and was mesmerizing. Such a beautiful voice, backed by a subdued but capable band, it was clear that her voice was the star of the show. I literally couldn't walk during her entire 40 minutes on stage. She was radiant. The songs she played off of her debut album 'Kismet' sounded even better live.

Then just a few minutes after 10 Matt Pond PA took the stage. First thing I noticed is that the band configuration has changed quite a bit. I have seen them twice before, both times with multiple strings players. Now they play as a tight 4 piece and seem to play with a LOT more intensity. This was by far the best I have heard the boys sound. The highlights were 'Sunlight' and 'Taught To Look Away' from Last Light, the new record....and 'So Much Trouble' and 'Halloween' off of Several Arrows Later.

A great night all the way around....now to catch my breath for a couple of days before Lucero on Saturday night :-)

The new Matt Pond PA album may be my favorite of the year...its just brilliant. Speaking of brilliant, I am surprised more bands don't take a hint from these boys and start their own youtube channel. It's a great way to promote your band without having to have big record company money to shoot an 'official' video.

Here is an acoustic take on one of the better tracks on the record, 'Sunlight'...should be a great show tonight.

Without pain there would be no art. This much I know. And Matt Pond PA is a walking, talking, musical example of this. Seems like all of their songs come from the same source material...love gone bad. Not that that is a bad thing...I loved their previous record, 'Several Arrows Later' and I think I like their latest, 'Last Light' even more.

One man's melancholy is another man's album of the month. Here is my favorite track off of Last Light

Oh...and come say hi if you are in the Los Angeles area on Oct 17...i will be at their show @ the Troubador