Devendra Banhart – Feel Like a Child

Devendra Banhart’s folksinger’s voice and muffled drums are screened through this equally non-threatening and haunting track. The production mix transfixes you to the music that would have played sixty years ago had a train transporting a Pan American circus been wired up with speakers, one that Dean Moriarty and Sal Paradise would undoubtedly have hitched a ride on. Devendra Banhart is a troubadour kept busy scoring life’s struggles and joys. Or as he sings here:

You can tell by my smile that I’m a child

I don’t know if I can tell, Mr. Banhart, but I’ll be a spectator on the ride. Fun fact: Devendra Banhart fancies himself as a picnic host.

Death Cab for Cutie – I Will Follow You into the Dark

The nice guys from Portland spin a lovely tale of eternal love in an existential afterlife. Suspending the oxymoronic stance of an existential eternity for a moment; Death Cab use nothing but light acoustic guitar and Gibbard’s disarming voice for this tale.

If Heaven and Hell decide that they both are satisfied Illuminate the no on their vacancy signs If there is no one beside you when your soul embarks Than I’ll follow you into the dark

Writers of Six Feet Under knockoffs have themselves a ready written opening theme. But the O.C. will most likely get to it first. [Note – obligatory OC reference added under threat from the Josh Schwartz/DCFC Racket.]

Rolling Stones – She Saw Me Coming

In September the Rolling Stones released ‘A Bigger Bang’, a new album being supported by another massive tour of these wrinkly dudes, and a release that you would typically ignore. All the while, however, pledging an unflinching allegiance to their status as one of Rock and Roll’s premier institutions. I like to think this forum as being one that manages expectations and helps in the exploration of new music. That being said, ‘A Bigger Bang’ is an excellent album that lacks the icky feeling of a legendary group phoning it in. It’s a Rolling Stones album, and a damn good one.

This track has our heroes in a rootsy and boisterous mood. Keith Richard lays down a blues riff, Mick Jagger proclaims his story with trademark swagger, and Charlie Watts lazily provides the backbeat. It’s the Stones, get your prance on.

The Cribs – Hey Scenesters!

British garage punks with unironic guitar licks drop some tasty dance beats for the holier than though “scenesters”. This song may have been written while looking in a mirror, or with a roomful of their Smug McSmugensten friends, but if the Merry Swankster was there he would have danced and ate what was fed. Suggest you do the same.

The New Pornographers – Bleeding Heart Show

“We have arrived.” An affirming declaration of arriving too late. What is the Bleeding Heart Show? Is it a political statement, perhaps about their native Canadia? Whatever it may be, the New Pornographers tell us that they arrived for the show, albeit too late. Lucky for us, the strange story is the standout cut from their latest release, Twin Cinemas. Tag the Bleeding Heart Show as another item exemplifying the case for Carl (A.C.) Newman’s talent for crafting indie rock with overwhelming power pop sensibility. Hey La, Hey La…

Tags: New Pornographers, Devendra Banhart, Death Cab for Cutie, Cribs, Rolling Stones